The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen reports a two-day visit of the Grade VIII students from Xavier School Manila at the Consulate General’s Bulwagang Bayan/Heroes Hall on 28 and 29 November 2016. The visit cum briefing forms part of the program “Xavier China Experience Fujian (XCE Fujian)” headed Fr. Aristotle Dy, SJ, School President. The lecture was conducted in two batches, scheduled separately on 28 and 29 November 2016, to accommodate the large number of students.

A total of 112 students and 13 faculty members, led by Ms. Jennifer N. Say, Assistant for Chinese Administrative Matters and Team Leader, participated in the program with the objective of tracing ancestral roots, cultural immersion and personality development of the participants. The program ran from 30 October to 10 December 2016.

Consul General Flores welcomed and briefed the young students on the many facets of the Consulate General’s work covering political, economic, public and cultural diplomacy thrusts. It was also underscored that the Philippines and Fujian Province share deep historical, ethnic and cultural links noting that majority of the students trace their ancestral roots in Fujian Province.

Furthermore, Consul General Flores encouraged the students to further enhance their knowledge and deep understanding of Fujian and China and Philippine-China relations in order to build a strong foundation which are valuable when pursuing China studies in the future.

The Consulate General also commended Xavier School and the Lucio Tan Foundation for continuing and sustaining the excellent program throughout the years involving Filipino youth that contributes in generating deeper friendship and understanding between Filipino and Fujian people. END