05 May 2015 - Ambassador Erlinda F. Basilio was the featured ambassador in the latest episode of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC)’s “Touring ASEAN with Diplomats” Microblog Interview Series on April 13.
ACC described the interview as phenomenal as it garnered a total of more than 210,000 views by the time it concluded.
ACC made an announcement about the interview with Ambassador Basilio on April 08 through the its website (www.asean-chinacentre.org), microblog and WeChat accounts and invited all interested ACC microblog fans to join the event. According to ACC, the announcement was well-received, with almost 170,000 fans viewing and reading about the upcoming live interview within the first few days of the announcement. Dozens of questions and comments were also posted on the ACC social media accounts.
During the three-hour interview, Ambassador Basilio replied to several questions raised by the ACC microblog fans, covering many areas of Philippines-China relations such as trade and investments and economic cooperation; cultural and education exchanges; the various tourist destinations and offerings in the Philippines; and ASEAN-China relations.
With the Philippines and China marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations this year, Ambassador Basilio said that the Philippine Embassy in Beijing and the six Philippine Consulates General throughout China are holding a myriad of activities during the year for a meaningful celebration of this history of friendship and cooperation and to pay tribute to a friendship that goes back much farther than the formal diplomatic relations of the two countries.
Ambassador Basilio invited ACC Microblog’s fans and followers to visit the website Philippines-China@40 at www.philippine-exhibit.com, which is dedicated to the celebration of 40 years of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China. The website hosts a collection of images and videos showcasing the rich and diverse cultures and heritage of Philippines and China.
On Philippines-China economic cooperation, Ambassador Basilio took note of the further strengthening of bilateral trade between the two countries, with two-way trade increasing by 14% in 2014. Referring to future prospects to further enhance economic interdependence of Philippines and China for the mutual benefit of each other’s enterprises and consumers, Ambassador Basilio said that both countries stand to benefit more by complementing each other’s economic strengths and filling the needs or gaps of each other’s specific sectors.
Ambassador Basilio said that the Philippines’ tourism slogan, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” is more than a promotional catchphrase because there is something for everyone in the Philippines. The Ambassador said that President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared 2015 as “Visit the Philippines Year (VPY),” in recognition of 2015 as an important year for the Philippines, particularly as it hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) this year.
Ambassador Basilio also took the opportunity to express the Philippines’ support and encouragement to the ASEAN-China Centre as it does its important work in promoting interaction and cooperation between ASEAN and China in the fields of trade, investments, education, culture, tourism and media. The Ambassador said that with the imminent integration of ASEAN as one Community, the Philippines stands ready to support the ACC as it helps move ASEAN-China relations forward. END