01 July 2015 - The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen held a diplomatic reception in celebration of the 117th Philippine Independence Day at the Kempinski Hotel on June 24.
The reception was attended by more than 200 guests from Fujian Foreign Affairs Office (FAO), Xiamen, Jinjiang, Quanzhou and Shishi Cities (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 (DDG) Wang Tian Ming and Xiamen FOCAO Deputy Director General Li Xiao Ping.
In his message, Philippine Consul General to Xiamen Julius Caesar Flores underscored that the Consulate General is celebrating three milestone events in 2015 namely, the 117th Philippine Independence Day, the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and China, and the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General in Xiamen.
In celebrating the 117th 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 40th 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 20th 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 and Fujian FAO DDG Wang 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 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 21st 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