The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen commemorated the 119th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence at the Kempinski Hotel in Xiamen City on 21 June 2017, highlighted by a dinner reception and followed by a concert by the Nightingales and violinist Mr. JC Joya.
Xiamen Vice Mayor Han Jinyi and Fujian Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) Deputy Director General Li Lin led the 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 Post’s official contacts.
In his message, Consul General Flores stressed the call for Filipinos to unite and work together to achieve the thrusts and goals of nationbuilding in the context of this year’s Philippine Independence Day theme, “Kalayaan 2017: Pagbabagong Sama-samang Balikatin” (Independence 2017:Partnering for Change).
He highlighted the major accomplishments of the Consulate General in Xiamen in pursuing economic and cultural diplomacy thrusts in 2016 as well as in the first half of 2017, specifically the staging of Philippine-Fujian Week held in the Philippines last month. He also assured that the Consulate General in Xiamen will continue to nurture bilateral relations between the Philippines and Fujian Province by strengthening economic and cultural cooperation and enhancing people-to-people contacts between the Philippines and Fujian province.
In their respective speeches, Xiamen Vice Mayor Han Jingyi and FAO Deputy Director General Li Lin extended their warm greetings to the Philippines and the Filipino people on the occasion of the 119th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
Vice Mayor Han underscored the warming of relations between the Philippines and China particularly under President Rodrigo Duterte and its importance in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He also mentioned the flourishing economic and trade exchanges between the two countries.
Mr. Li highlighted the exchange of visits from both countries, the most recent of which was the visit of Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III signaling a new chapter in Philippines-China relations.
The two leaders expressed assurances of Xiamen’s continued cooperation with the Consulate General in its efforts to further and enhance bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the Philippines and China particularly Xiamen City and Fujian Province.
After the reception, a concert by the Nightingales (composed of Bianca Camille D. Lopez and Ma. Rhina Paula P. Cruz) and violinist JC Joya was held also at Kempinski Hotel which was warmly received by more than 350 guests, particularly from the general public. END
