Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen Inaugurates New Chancery

Left to right:  Madame Ana Elena FlorCruz, Ambassador Jaime A. FlorCruz, Undersecretary Antonia A. Morales and Consul General Maria Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena at the Unveiling

XIAMEN 03 June 2024 - Philippine Ambassador Jaime A. FlorCruz, accompanied by Madame Ana Elena FlorCruz, and Undersecretary Antonio A. Morales as Guests of Honor, together with Philippine Consul General in Xiamen Maria Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena unveiled the Chancery marker at the inauguration of the new location of the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen on 24 May 2024.

One hundred sixty (160) guests led by the above-named leaders, together with Deputy-Secretary General Lian Gengsheng of the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government as Chinese Guest of Honor together with Director Shen Ziling of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Fujian Provincial People’s Government, Singapore Consul General to Xiamen Chng Tze Chia, Acting Thai Consul General Nilobol Pimdee and Special Envoys Benito Techico and Maynard Ngu attended the event. 

Other guests were Chinese government officials, Chinese business leaders and Chamber officials, officials from Chinese instrumentalities and universities, Filipino professionals and community leaders, media people, artists and dependents of PCG personnel.

The new Chancery at No. 4 Consulate Road in Siming district was renovated to incorporate Philippine architectural elements and designed to showcase world-class Filipino artistry and craftsmanship.  It is to be a profound symbol of the deep historical, economic, cultural, and filial ties between the Philippines and China.   

Ambassador FlorCruz, in his Remarks, highlighted the importance of finding an “ideal home” for the Consulate to project the nation’s image and pride, reaffirm commitment to good friendly relations with China, provide a good environment for clients and stakeholders, and inspire personnel to provide efficient and effective service.

Undersecretary Morales stated that building a new office is a complex activity which can only be made possible through a strong relationship with the host country and host city. He acknowledged that PCG Xiamen fulfills the symbolic and practical aspects of establishing a consulate.  

The Deputy Secretary-General conveyed that “China and Philippines are close neighbors with long-standing friendship and that sincerity and solidarity predominate in the millennium-old history” of Philippines-China bilateral relations, “which is also the shared aspiration of our two peoples”.

Consul General Mendoza-Oblena rendered a powerpoint presentation detailing the ‘journey’ which led to the transfer of the Philippine Consulate General from its previous location for 29 years in Lianhua District to the current new location.

The Program began with a soulful rendition of “Anak” by former Xiamen-based artists, Juan Karlos Bayanin and Aila Bayanin and of “The Dream of the Sea, a Chinese song, by popular Xiamen singer, Han Xinhai.

Among the souvenir items provided was a beautifully-crafted 25-page “The Chancery at No. 4” book detailing design highlights of the new Chancery, messages from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Consul General, a short history of the Consulate General in Xiamen, and information about Architect Tecson Uy and Interior Designer Liz Go.  Also provided were Love the Philippines collaterals such as t-shirts, tote bags, and calendars, provided by the Philippine Tourism Promotion Board (TPB).

The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen was established on 15 February 1995, making it the first Philippine Consulate to be established in China and the first Consulate to be established in Xiamen. END

PCG’s Political, Economic and Cultural Officer Faith Bautista hands over a copy of the souvenir Consulate book to Xiamen’s Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Lian Gengsheng

Left to right: Architect Tecson Uy, Trade Representative Froilan Emil Pamintuan, Special Envoy Benito Techico, Singapore Consul General Chng Tze Chia, Xiamen Deputy Secretary General Lian Gengsheng, Madame Ana Elena FlorCruz, Ambassador Jaime A. FlorCruz, Undersecretary Antonio Morales, Consul General Maria Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena, Fujian Foreign Affairs Office Director Shen Ziling, Thai Acting Consul General Nilobol Pimdee, Special Envoy Maynard Ngu, Interior Designer Liz Go

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