ASEAN Consular Corps in Guangzhou Celebrates 57th ASEAN Day, Highlights Economic and People-To-People Exchanges

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas (center) with ASEAN consuls general in Guangzhou and Nanning, Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director General Qian Hongjie (5th from the right), and Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director General Xie Shuibin (5th from the left). (Guangzhou PCG photo)

GUANGZHOU 12 August 2024 – The 57th ASEAN Day was celebrated at the port city of Guangzhou, an economic powerhouse located in southern China. Hosted by the ASEAN Consular Corps in Guangzhou, the cocktail lunch reception was attended by over 200 guests from the consular corps, business community, and media, and members of the various ASEAN communities. Guangdong Province Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director General Qian Hongjie graced the occasion, together with officials from the Guangzhou City Foreign Affairs Office.

As Chairman of the ASEAN- Guangzhou Consular Corps, Philippine Consul General to Guangzhou Iric Cruz Arribas highlighted the strong ASEAN-China partnership and emphasized the significance of the 2024 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges in fostering deeper understanding and cooperation. He noted that cultural and people-to-people exchanges “enrich us all, fostering deeper understanding and stronger bonds.”

Deputy Director General Qian praised the close ties between ASEAN and China, describing them as “countries connected by the same mountains and rivers, close partners who support each other through thick and thin, and a community with a shared future.”

The event also served as a business networking platform, where business leaders from various sectors exchanged information to further economic ties with ASEAN. Officials from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Chambers of Commerce of Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines and other groups were present to exchange views on furthering trade and business. 

ASEAN was promoted as an exciting tourist destination because of the diversity of culture, landscape and proximity to southern China. Representatives from the different airline companies of ASEAN members flying the Guangzhou route attended the event.

Composing the ASEAN Consular Corps in Guangzhou together with Philippine Consul General Arribas are Mr. Tun Thona (Cambodia), Mr. Ben Perkasa Drajat (Indonesia), Mrs. Vanhpheng Saisomphou (Laos), Ms. Suraya Pauzi (Malaysia), Mr. Loh Tuck Keat (Singapore), Mrs. Jiraporn Sudanich (Thailand), and Mr. Nguyen Viet Dung (Vietnam) and Myanmar Consul General, Mrs. Khaing Su Linn, who is based in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 

The event concluded with a much-applauded showcase of ASEAN cultural heritage, including an Indonesian dance, a parade of traditional ASEAN attire, and a spread of ASEAN culinary dishes. END

ASEAN Consuls General in Guangzhou and Nanning posing with the ASEAN handshake. (Guangzhou PCG photo)

The 57th ASEAN Day, hosted by Philippine Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas as Chairman of ASEAN Consular Corps in Guangzhou, was well-attended by officials from the foreign affairs offices of Guangdong and Guangzhou, members of the Consular Corps of Guangzhou, members of various business communities and chambers, and media groups. (Guangzhou PCG photo)

Philippine Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas as Chairman of ASEAN Consular Corps in Guangzhou and Guest of Honor, Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director General Qian Hongjie. (Guangzhou PCG photo)

Philippine Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas as Chairman of ASEAN Consular Corps in Guangzhou welcomes Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director General Xie Shuibin. (Guangzhou PCG photo)

Philippine Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas (left) and Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director General Qian Hongjie (right) deliver their remarks. (Guangzhou PCG photos)

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas with Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Guangzhou Consul (Commercial) Froilan Emil D. Pamintuan (left) and Mr. Edmon C. Amoroso (right), General Manager of Zhaoqing San Miguel Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd. and Foshan San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Co., Ltd. (Guangzhou PCG photo)

This year’s ASEAN Day is a showcase of ASEAN cultural heritage, including an Indonesian dance, a parade of traditional ASEAN attire, and a spread of ASEAN culinary dishes. (Guangzhou PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.guangzhoupcg.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinGuangzhou/, https://twitter.com/PHinGuangzhou, or https://www.instagram.com/phinguangzhou/.