Calamba and Jinjiang Cities Sign Friendship Accord Letter of Intent
Philippine Consul General to Xiamen Julius Caesar A. Flores (4th from left) with Jinjiang City officials posing for a group photo after wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument/Rizal Park
23 February 2018 XIAMEN — 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 strengthen their ties. Laguna Congressman Joaquin Chipeco and Mayor Timmy Chipeco welcomed the delegation at the Calamba City Hall together with other officials.
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 wreath laying ceremony at the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument, the delegation proceeded to visit major points of cultural, historical and economic interest in Calamba City.
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. END
For more information, visit www.xiamenpcg.dfa.gov.ph
Visit to the office of the Calamba City Mayor (from left) Consul General Flores, Congressman Chipeco, Jinjiang Vice Mayor Li and Mayor Chipeco
Signing of letter of intent between Calamba Mayor Chipeco and Jinjiang Vice Mayor Li as witnessed by Consul General Flores, Congressman Chipeco and Calamba and Jinjiang officials.
Left photo: Jinjiang delegation visit to the Giant “Banga.” Right photo: Carmelray Industrial Park officials welcome Consul General Flores and the Jinjiang City delegation.