05 March 2014 - In pursuit of his mandate to enhance relations between the Philippines and Xiamen, Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores paid a courtesy call on Hon. Liu Ke Qing, Mayor of the City Xiamen, on January 24. The meeting was also attended by Vice Mayor Kang Tao, Xiamen Municipal Government Secretary General Chen Jin, Xiamen Foreign Affairs Office Director General Hong Chengzong, and other city officials.

Both sides discussed various matters aimed at furthering closer cooperation    between the Philippines and Xiamen. Mayor Liu committed to extend the city government’s full support to the Consulate’s programs and activities aimed at enhancing bilateral ties, particularly in the fields of trade and people-to-people exchanges. Consul General Flores underscored that the Consulate General will continue to pursue efforts to enhance relations between Xiamen and the Philippines.

The following topics are the highlights of their discussions:

·              Improving People to People Contacts

Mayor Liu cited the frequent exchanges (specially high level visits) as well as growth in bilateral trade which contribute to closer relations. Both sides agreed to intensify these exchanges.

·              Xiamen-Cebu Sister-City Partnership

Mayor Liu welcomed the commitment made by Consul General Flores to pursue efforts to further nurture the sister-city relations between Xiamen and Cebu through various proposals including street naming of Xiamen City in Cebu City, declaring Xiamen – Cebu Friendship Day as well as more people-to-people contacts.

·              Enhancing Cultural Cooperation

                 Consul General Flores conveyed appreciation to Xiamen City on the milestone Philippine
                 participation in the 7^th Xiamen Lantern Festival as part of the Consulate General’s cultural
                 diplomacy efforts.

·               Nanyang Culture Festival

Consul General Flores committed Philippine support and cooperation to the staging of the 4^th Nanyang Culture Festival to be held on March 28 to April 4 2014. The Philippines is expected to participate in the food festival, symposium, trade exhibition and cultural events.

·              116^th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence

Consul General Flores took the opportunity to invite the Mayor and city officials to attend the Consulate General’s commemoration of the 116^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day in June 2014. END