Xiamen and Fujian Officials Lead 117^th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Xiamen

• • • • • • • • • Top Left: L-R . Fujian Province Department of Commerce Director Miao Zhen Tiang, DDG Li Xiao Ping of Xiamen FOCAO, CG Julius Caesar Flores, Xiamen City Vice Mayor Li Dong Liang, Fujian FAO DDG Wang Tian Ming, and Singapore Consul General Chi Chiew Sum
                • Top Right: Consul General Flores with Xiamen Vice Mayor Li Dong Liang

The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen held a diplomatic reception in celebration of the 117^th Philippine Independence Day at the Kempinski Hotel in Xiamen City on 24 June 2015.

The reception was attended by more than 200 guests from Fujian Foreign Affairs Office (FAO), Xiamen, Jinjiang, Quanzhou and Shishi Cities Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (FOCAO) officials, members of the Fujian diplomatic corps, Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Fujian province and Filipino community leaders, academe, media and guests.

The Chinese officials were led by Xiamen Vice Mayor Li Dong Liang, Fujian FAO Deputy Director General Wang Tian Ming and Xiamen FOCAO Deputy Director General Li Xiao Ping.

In his message, Consul General Julius Caesar Flores underscored that the Consulate General is celebrating three milestone events in 2015 namely, the 117^th Philippine Independence Day, the 40^th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and China, and the 20^th Anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General in Xiamen.

In celebrating the 117^th Philippine Independence Day, Consul General Flores cited that all Filipinos take the opportunity annually to pay tribute to their forefathers for their patriotism and bravery in their struggle to gain independence. He also called on fellow Filipinos to contribute to the collective efforts towards the building and strengthening of the Filipino nation.

He praised the 40^th year of friendship and partnership between the Philippines and China sharing the “common goals of greater prosperity, enhancing peace and security and ensuring improved quality of life and opportunities for its peoples”, with both countries looking forward to a more vital, robust and beneficial relations.

As for the 20^th year of existence of the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, Consul General Flores stressed the great importance accorded to Xiamen City as well as the Fujian and Jiangxi provinces by the Philippines and its people. He assured that the Consulate General will continue to perform its mandate of making the presence of the Philippines “felt and seen” in this part of southern China as well as contribute to the nurturing of relations between the Philippines and China.

In their respective speeches, Xiamen Vice Mayor Li Dong Liang and Fujian FAO Deputy Director General Wang Tian Ming extended their warm greetings to the Consulate General in commemoration of the milestone events as well as expressed appreciation to the Consulate General’s role in furthering the enhancement of bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the Philippines and China.

In particular, Fujian FAO DDG Wang Tian Ming cited the importance of catalyzing cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, under the framework of China’s “Belt and Road” initiatives, with the Fujian province taking a vital and dynamic role in the building of the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Furthermore, Vice Mayor Li, while echoing the importance of the “Belt and Road” initiative, underscored Xiamen’s own thrusts namely, Beautiful Xiamen and the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone, to help boost relations and cooperation with the Philippines.

A photographic exhibit entitled “Colors of Freedom: The Sun and Stars: Stories behind the Philippine Flag” was again put on display during the said occasion held at the Kempinski Hotel. The exhibit was initiated by the Filipinas Heritage Library and Ayala Land in 2014. END

• • • • • • • • • • • Top Left: CG Flores delivering his Independence Day message
                    • Top Right: Guests during the 117^th Independence Day reception
                    • Below: Photographic Exhibition entitled “Colors of Freedom: The Sun and Stars: Stories behind the Philippine Flag”