GOVPH

C&D GLOBAL TOURISM GROUP CALLS ON XIAMEN PCG

From left to right: Translator Mr. Fubin Huang; Ms. Wu Yuan, General Manager of Outbound Department of C&D Global Tourism Group (C&D-GTG); Ms. Zhang Zhang, General Manager of C&D-GTG; Consul General Winston Dean S. Almeda; Consul Charleson C. Hermosura; Ms. Xu Xiaofeng, Assistant General Manager of Outbound Department, C&D-GTG; and Economic Officer, Ms. Maria Rizarem Apolonio.

XIAMEN, 15 January 2026 – Ms. Zhang Zhang, General Manager of the C&D Global Tourism Group (C&D-GTG), called on Consul General Winston Dean S. Almeda at the Philippine Consulate General (Xiamen PCG) on 15 January 2026. Ms. Zhang was joined by Ms. Wu Yuan, General Manager of Outbound Department of C&D-GTG and Ms. Xu Xiaofeng Assistant General Manager of Outbound Department of C&D-GTG.

Ms. Zhang called on Consul General Almeda to convey C&D’s New Year Greetings. She also expressed pleasure in receiving news that same day about the 14-day visa-free entry for Chinese nationals who will travel to the Philippines. She added that for 2026, C&D-GTG will promote the Philippines as its main outbound tourist destination to redirect travel tours to the Philippines.

Consul General Almeda expressed appreciation for the New Year greetings and her remarks. He mentioned that the unprecedented announcement on the 14-day visa-free entry for Chinese nationals signals the Philippines openness for greater interaction on tourism and business exchanges with China. The Consul General likewise explained the requirements for the visa-free entry, as well as processes and the way forward for other types of entry to the Philippines.

During the call, Consul General Almeda took the opportunity to invite C&D-GTG to Xiamen PCG’s business briefing, to be held on 21 January 2026, which aims to provide Chinese companies with information on investment opportunities in the Philippines in the trade, manufacturing, and tourism sectors, as well as current business regulations and developments in the Philippines. He also broached the idea of holding a business briefing for the travel and trade industry during the China (Xiamen) International Leisure and Trade Expo 2026. The Consul General likewise requested C&D-GTG’s assistance in increasing promotion of Philippines as scuba diving destination.

Ms. Zhang expressed appreciation for the fruitful and productive meeting. She hoped that the Consulate can also introduce C&D-GTG to other agencies that will further strengthen and enhance exchanges. Consul General Almeda stated that the Consulate is open to exchanges and stands ready to work with institutions in China in promoting both inward and outward tourism exchanges that will further strengthen Philippines-China bilateral trade. END.

THE 30TH NATIONAL AUTISM CONSCIOUSNESS WEEK

Mini-Exhibition on Dr. Jose Rizal at the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen

XIAMEN, 30 December 2025 – In commemoration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China, and Remembrance of the 129^th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen (Xiamen PCG) launched the “Rizal Mini-Museum” on 30 December 2025 at its chancery.

 

Consul General Winston Dean S. Almeda and Rizal relative Ke Wentan cut the ribbon to launch the Mini-Exhibition on Rizal.

 

The Consulate’s Mini-Exhibition on Dr. Jose Rizal features 7 standees, each of which are about 205cm (height) x 80 cm (width). The standees, with corresponding explanatory text in English, with Mandarin translations, depict stages of Rizal’s life, interests, and works. A cover standee features photos of Rizal and the Rizal monument in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, the city of origin of the Philippine national hero’s great-great grandfather Ke Yinan, a.k.a. Domingo Lamco.

It also featured materials closely associated with his public image, such as fencing gear, bowler hat, and the black overcoat. A current video of present-day Luneta park (courtesy of the Philippine Department of Tourism Office in Shanghai), and replicas of “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo” complete the roster of curated materials featured in the mini-exhibition. The book replicas were received from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines through the kind assistance of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts.

 

Replicas of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines through the kind assistance of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, and photos from Tawid Heritage Center and Dalawang Bayani ng Bansa by Rene O. Villanueva and Joel Jason O. Chua.

 

Fencing gear was prominently associated with the public image of Rizal

 

Consul Charleson Hermosura reading the message of the President

 

 

 

TOURISM ATTACHÉ MR. FRANCISCO HILARIO M. LARDIZABAL CONDUCTS SEMINAR ON TOURISM PROMOTION FOR XIAMEN PCG

Tourism Attaché Mr. Francisco Hilario M. Lardizabal conducting his lecture on Tourism Promotion

XIAMEN, 02 December 2025 - Tourism Attaché Mr. Francisco Hilario M. Lardizabal of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) – Shanghai Office, conducted a seminar on Tourism Promotion for the personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen on 02 December 2025.

Tourism Attaché Lardizabal said that the slogan “Love the Philippines” came from DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco’s view that beyond the fun, there are still endless things to do while visiting the Philippines that will make visitors feel love while in the country. He also mentioned that the DOT is continuously improving its tourism infrastructure and developing more tourism products across the regions in the Philippines that will let visitors have a Philippine experience through its history, culture, gastronomy, arts, and crafts.

Tourism Attaché Lardizabal with Consul General Winston Dean S. Almeda and Xiamen PCG personnel

Tourism Attaché Lardizabal pointed out that the tourism landscape changed after the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, most tourism travelers traveled with their family while current travelers are the Gen Z’s and independent travelers.  Tourists now prefer to travel in small groups with personalized itinerary rather than travel with tour groups. With China a big market for outbound tourism, the DOT hopes to attract more Chinese travelers to visit, have fun, and love the Philippines.

Tourism Attaché Lardizabal was in Xiamen for the eVisa travel and trade training seminar on 02 December 2025. END 

 

XIAMEN PCG MEETS XIAMEN COMFIER TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.

From left: Translator Mr. Fubin Huang, Economic Officer Ms. Maria Rizarem A. Apolonio, Consul Charleson C. Hermosura, Consul General Winston Dean S. Almeda, Xiamen Comfier Technology Co. Ltd. Assistant General Manager Mr. Fang Wenxing, Vice President Mr. Chen Teng and Vice President Mr. Li Jianfei

XIAMEN, 03 DECEMBER 2025 – Consul General Winston Dean S. Almeda met with Mr. Chen Teng, Vice President of Xiamen Comfier Technology Co. Ltd (Comfier); Mr. Li Jianfei, Vice President of Xiamen Comfier Technology Co. Ltd.; and Mr. Fang Wenxing, Assistant General Manager. 

Established in 2007, Comfier’s business is the manufacturing of massage equipment. The company has a business network in around 40 countries and regions across North America, Europe, and Asia. Comfier’s largest market is the US and Europe, with products in the US sold through Amazon. Comfier has also collaborated with companies such as Medisana and Beuer.

Comfier established Philippines Comfier Technology Inc. in Subic in 2025 with an initial investment of US$1.5 million. It currently has more than 100 employees. VP Li said that they personally traveled to the Philippines to meet with local government officials and scout for the proper location. He  remarked that the Philippines is supportive and welcoming and expressed the hope that the factory will be led by Filipino employees in the future. As most of the raw materials to be used in the factory will be imported from China, he stated that he plans to introduce these local suppliers to the Philippines.

Consul General Almeda expressed appreciation for the meeting and for establishing their presence in the Philippines. He recommended that Comfier, as well as its network of local suppliers meet with Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Guangzhou (PTIC-Guangzhou), which could assist Comfier in its business venture in the Philippines.

The Consul General also informed Comfier of the resumption of the Philippine eVisa which allows the online filing of evisa applications for tourism and business purposes. The eVisa is valid for 14 days, and is non-convertible and non-extendable. Travelers who wish to stay longer in the Philippines will have to personally submit their visa applications at VFS Global-Fuzhou. END.