10 June 2015 – Philippine Foreign Affairs officials led by Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda Basilio and Philippine Consul General Julius Caesar Flores attended the inaugural activities to celebrate the opening of Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) latest route, Quanzhou(Jinjiang)-Manila in Jinjiang City last April 24.

The event was highlighted by a press conference and a dinner reception with PAL CEO Mr. Lucio Tan, Mrs. Carmen Tan, PAL President Jaime Bautista and other PAL officials. Quanzhou Municipality Mayor Zheng Xincong, Jinjiang City Mayor Liu Wenru, and Shishi City Mayor Zhang Yishan graced the ocassion. Philippine tourism representatives and members of the local business community also attended the event.

In her message delivered during the press conference and reception, Ambassador Basilio lauded PAL for opening a new frontier by offering direct flights from Quanzhou to Manila and vice versa. She also acknowledged PAL’s valuable contribution to the Philippine government’s campaign in continuing to promote the Philippines as a major tourist destination especially for the growing Chinese tourism market.

She also made a strong pitch for the Chinese public to visit the Philippines, experience for themselves the beauty of the country and discover that it is, indeed, “More Fun in the Philippines!”

Jinjiang City is approximately 80 kilometers north of Xiamen City, which is an hour’s drive by car. This new PAL route is expected to bring convenience to both Filipino and Chinese travelers based in Quanzhou, Jinjiang, Shishi and Fuzhou cities as a more convenient alternative to going to Xiamen (Gaoqi) Airport to get a flight to Manila. END