Philippine Consul General to Xiamen Julius Caesar A. Flores successfully co-led with Jinjiang City Vice Mayor Li Zilli, a Jinjiang City delegation’s visit to Calamba City, Laguna on 2 February 2018 to pursue both cities’ plan to firm up their partnership. Laguna Congressman Joaquin Chipeco and Mayor Timmy Chipeco led city officials in welcoming the delegation at the Calamba City Hall.
The highlight of the visit was the signing of a Letter of Intent by Mayors Chipeco and Zilli to enhance friendship, understanding and cooperation in the fields of science and technology, culture, education, public health, and sports, among others.
Following a brief wreathlaying ceremony at the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument/Rizal Plaza, the delegation proceeded to visit major points of cultural, historical and economic interest in Calamba City including the Giant “Banga” (claypot symbolizing the city), the baptistery at the St. John the Baptist Church (where the national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, was baptized), the Rizal Shrine and the Camelray Industrial Park.
Other members of the Jinjiang City delegation include Mr. Chen Jinjiang, Director General of the Jinjiang Municipal Bureau of Overseas Chinese, Taiwan and Foreign Affairs (OCTFA); Mr. Cai Weida, Deputy Director General, Jinjiang Municpal Bureau of Commerce and Mr. Lin, Section Chief/Foreign Affairs Division, (OCTFA).
The twinning of Calamba and Jinjiang cities is a long term initiative of the Consulate General under its political, cultural and economic diplomacy programs. Jinjiang City is the ancestral roots of Domingo Lamco, the paternal side of Dr. Rizal, who was born in Calamba on 19 June 1861. The only Rizal Park in the Asia-Pacific region is located in Jinjiang City, completed in 2003, occupying a 5-hectare memorial square.
The Consulate General underscored that the Calamba-Jinjiang partnership as the “most logical, meaningful and deepest link” based on history, culture and kinship between the Philippines and Fujian province on one hand and on the other, the Philippines and China.
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