CEBU CITY—The Philippines-China Friendship Day, celebrated annually on July 9 symbolizes shared heritage and mutual respect, reinforcing cultural bonds and people-to-people solidarity between our nations. It honors historical ties while fostering enduring friendship.
Some 230 guests from the local governments of Cebu, business sector, friends, from varies sectors celebrated with Consul General Zhang Zhen and officials of the Chinese Consulate General in Cebu City, the China-Philippines Friendship Day, in a dinner and cultural presentations, June 9 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
“The Filipino-Chinese friendship in Cebu is a living truth. We cherish our intertwined history and we build a shared future together. Let the China-Philippines millennium-old friendship be carried forward from generation to generation. Let our shared values safeguard peace and inspire collective prosperity,” Consul Zhen said in an exclusive interview with this writer.
Zhen bared that in Cebu, the Consulate General and China Film Administration are hosting a Chinese film festival at Ayala Central Bloc Cinemas, IT Park, from June 12 to June 21. Four Chinese films will be released, including Comedy Drama, romantic drama, science fiction. These films received great acclaim in China last year.
Diplomatic relations and cooperation
The diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China need to reaffirm the principles contained in the 1975 China-Philippines Joint Communique and other documents. Zhen said that both countries should follow the wishes of both nation’s two peoples, seek cooperation instead of confrontation, dialogue instead of conflict.
As neighboring countries, China and the Philippines cannot move apart. Good-neighborliness serves the fundamental interests of both peoples, Zhen added that both countries should bear in mind that the only right way to safeguard national security is to uphold strategic independence, good-neighborliness and peaceful development.
She said that China advocates pursuing joint development while setting aside disputes and is committed to working with neighboring countries across the sea through joint development to better put disputes under control, advance cooperation, uphold stability and achieve win-win results.
For Cebu, as the local people and local governments enjoy enduring friendship and historical bonds with Chinese and China’s local governments, opportunities can be explored via people-to-people exchanges, mutual visits, sister city/province relationship, various fairs and Expos in China, Zhen said.
Education and Tourism. China and the Philippines can promote educational exchanges such as student scholarships or research collaborations. Many Chinese universities offer scholarship programs. Students may get information on the websites of universities or the China Scholarship Council https://www.csc.edu.cn.
“The good examples in other ASEAN countries shows that a sound and steady bilateral relationship as well as a secure and friendly social environment are very important to increase tourism,” Zhen said.
She noted that to ease Philippine visa policy, facilitate application, make it efficient and convenient, make Chinese feel welcomed, and to add direct flights, if tourists and visitors increase.
On Economic and Trade Relations. To enhance trade relations between the two countries, particularly in areas like agriculture, technology, or infrastructure development. There are relevant Chambers, enterprises and institutions from both sides that can have more contacts and talks to explore the possibilities and potentials to enhance trade relations.
Chinese Companies have advanced technologies, strength and expertise in many areas, such as appliance manufacturing, telecommunication, infrastructure construction, clean energy, shipbuilding, smart city, EV, disaster relief, and others that can help in Cebu’s economic growth and development.
On Cultural Exchange and Cooperation, Consul Zhen believed that any initiatives to promote mutual understanding will be welcomed by our peoples, such as school exchange partnerships, sister city programs of facilitating exchanges and cooperation, digital cultural platforms for showcasing art, history and traditions, cultural events like festivals, food fairs and art exhibitions.
“We should cherish the hard-won Peace in Asia and the enduring bonds we inherited, neighborliness and friendship serve the fundamental interests of our two peoples and two nations,” Consul Zhen said in her opening message at the 24th China-Philippines Friendship Day dinner and cultural event on June 9 at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
Zhen highlighted the significance of the event noting its historical context and reflected on the original aspirations of diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of history in guiding future relations.
