PH broaches prospects for upgrading Jiangsu-ASEAN engagement  

Left: Jiangsu Officials listen to CG Ignacio’s address at the Jiangsu-ASEAN Cooperation Symposium Right: From Top/L-R: Jiangsu officials on-site presiding over the Ceremony; Executive Vice Gov. Fei; ASEAN Deputy SecGen Kung; Provincial Deputy SecGen Huang Lan, ASEAN-China Center SG Chen; the NUA performers; Consul Demdem; Jiangsu FAO DDG Huang; Online attendees.(Photos from Shanghai PCG)

SHANGHAI, 22 December 2021- Philippine Consul General to Shanghai Josel F. Ignacio sketched out a promising future for cooperation between ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China’s manufacturing powerhouse, Jiangsu Province in remarks delivered at a virtual Symposium on 16 December 2021. Organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, the Symposium touched off the province’s observance of ASEAN-Jiangsu Exchanges Week, running from 16 to 20 December 2021.

Consul General Ignacio’s address opened the thematic discussion on Jiangsu and ASEAN Cooperation Prospects. He trained the spotlight on the wealth of ASEAN-China documents that are roadmaps for further boosting engagement. He cited the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, the 2019 ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Synergising the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).

Citing Jiangsu’s vaunted economic and industrial might and its strategic advantage, being home to the world’s third busiest port, he broached driving inclusive and comprehensive recovery through connectivity and trade. He called for cooperation on health, climate change, the digital divide, and other common challenges.

The Consul General took the opportunity to also raise the profile of the Philippines’ own productive engagement with Jiangsu Province. Ranking second in terms of provincial GDP in the Mainland, he stressed Jiangsu’s potential as a major market for PH goods, and gateway for trade with the rest of China.

Economic Officer Conrado B. Demdem Jr., and PH Department of Tourism Deputy Tourism Attachê Warren S. Palacio also represented PH at the proceedings.

The Symposium was attended by Provincial Executive Vice Governor Fei Gaoyun, Provincial Deputy Secretary General Huang Lan, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Kung Phoak, and ASEAN-China Center Secretary General Chen Dehai, among others.

Also onsite were provincial Commerce, Culture, Tourism, and Education officials. Taking part online, meanwhile, were ASEAN diplomats from Beijing and Shanghai, and representatives from various Jiangsu-based think tanks, universities, and enterprises.

A highlight of the ASEAN-Jiangsu Exchanges Week was a cultural performance auspiciously titled “Ride the Wind and Waves, Build the Future Together.” Featuring students from the Nanjing University of the Arts (NUA), it showcased folk and modern dances and songs from China and the AMS. Performing the Philippine number in barong was student Tian Xiangye, who performed Orange and Lemons’ Pinoy Ako, against backdrop of stunning Philippine scenery and tourist spots.

In 2020, Jiangsu-ASEAN trade reached USD 90 billion, making ASEAN Jiangsu’s 3rd largest trading partner in the world. Both have 27 sister-city relations, with more than 9,000 Southeast Asian students currently studying in the province.

With the Philippines, Jiangsu Province imported around USD 3.4 billion in goods in 2020, making it the 2nd largest importer of PH goods among China’s provinces in 2020. In March 2021, Jiangsu inaugurated the first cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) cargo flights to Manila. This October, the Ganyu District Government in the port city of Lianyungang launched the China-Philippines CBEC Industrial Park to facilitate e-commerce merchandise trade and logistics. END

For more information, visit https://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/

Left: Consul General Ignacio greets attendees as he is introduced at the Opening of Jiangsu-ASEAN Week Right: Consul Demdem and Deputy Tourism Attaché Palacio attending the Symposium, with Attaché Geguera assisting. (Photos from Shanghai PCG)

Chinese university student Tian Xiangye performs ‘Pinoy Ako’ at the Opening Ceremony. ( Photo from Shanghai PCG)