The delegation of the Philippine National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), headed by Executive Director Penelope D. Belmonte and accompanied by Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores visited Jinjiang City on 19 March 2018 to promote friendship and forge cooperation.

The visit, under the framework of the Consulate General’s economic and cultural diplomacy thrusts for 2018 and beyond, was highlighted by a meeting with Jinjiang City officials, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Memorial Park and a visit to the City Museum’s Overseas Chinese Section.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Huang Wenfu, Member of the Standing Committee, Communist Party of China (CPC)-Jinjiang and Mr. Chen Jianjun, Director General of Jinjiang Foreign Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (FOCAO).

Both sides agreed to forge a partnership through a subsequent Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the view to strengthening friendship and cooperation particularly between the Rizal Parks in Manila and Jinjiang City and its City Museum.

The visit was also highlighted by a simple wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Memorial Park, sprawled on a 5-hectare expanse in the village of Xionghe, ancestral roots of Dr. Jose Rizal.

The delegation also visited the City Museum’s Rizal Corner of its Overseas Chinese Section on the Philippines. Rene Robles, an internationally renowned Filipino visual artist and NPDC consultant, donated an original artwork featuring Dr. Rizal to the museum.

NPDC expressed optimism in pursuing collaborative projects with Jinjiang City, especially with the Park and the City Museum.

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