As part of the Year of Friendly Exchanges (YFE) between the Philippines and China, the 20-foot giant lantern from the City of San Fernando, Pampanga was formally lighted in a ceremony held in the evening of 02 February 2014 at the Garden Expo Park (Yuan Bo Yuan) in Xiamen's Jimei District.  In attendance were Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores, San Fernando Mayor Edwin D. Santiago and local Chinese Officials, Mr. Wang Weijun, Vice Bureau Chief of the Xiamen Horticultural Bureau; Mr. Zhang Jianhua, Deputy Director General of the Xiamen Foreign Affairs Office; and Ms. Cai Dongmei, Deputy District Chief of Jimei District.

The lighting of the giant lantern, known as the Parul Sampernandu in its place of origin, was conducted after the formal opening ceremony of the 2014 Xiamen Lantern Festival and was kicked off with a traditional Chinese Lion and Dragon Dance followed by remarks delivered by Deputy Bureau Chief Wang. 

This is a milestone for the Philippines since this is the first time for a foreign country to join the annual Festival and also the first time ever for the Parul Sampernandu to be showcased in Mainland China.

In his message, Consul General Flores expressed hope that this initiative of sharing this unique aspect of Philippine culture with the people of Xiamen would redound to warmer friendship and better understanding between the people’s of the Philippines and China.  Consul General Flores declared that the Consulate General will pursue further efforts for the Philippines to continue participating in the Xiamen Lantern Festival in the coming years.

Finally, Consul General Flores thanked Cebu Pacific Air for its sponsorship, which contributed to the realization of this event.

In his remarks, Mayor Santiago praised the beauty of the Chinese lanterns put up on display for the Festival and expressed confidence that the Chinese people will also appreciate the artistry of the Philippine Giant Lantern.  Finally, Mayor Santiago thanked the City of Xiamen and the Consulate General for making it possible to bring the Parul Sampernandu to Mainland China for the very first time.

Mayor Santiago led a delegation of 14 city officials and 12 private sector representatives to come to Xiamen to mark this special event and explore other ways to forge closer ties between the City of San Fernando and Xiamen.

Thousands of local Xiamenese and other tourists from all over China and other parts of the world came to view the first night of the Xiamen Lantern Festival.  An estimated 70,000 visitors came to the Festival grounds in the evening of 02 February 2014.  The lighting of the Parul Sampernandu was covered by local media, including Xiamen TV and Jimei TV Station.  END