27 August 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda F. Basilio recently welcomed to the Philippine Embassy in Beijing a delegation of young Chinese who participated in the Junior Journalists Program of the Home and Abroad News Press, a Chinese bimonthly magazine circulated all over China.
Home and Abroad News Press organized junior journalists from provinces across China to visit Beijing to conduct a series of exclusive interviews with eight Ambassadors.
During the 50-minute interview, Ambassador Basilio underscored the importance of people-to-people exchanges and contacts in fostering goodwill and cooperation among the young people of the Philippines and China. The Ambassador informed the junior journalists of the various programs, projects and activities of the Embassy and the six Philippine Consulates General in China aimed at promoting friendship as well as mutual trust and understanding among Filipino and Chinese youths.
Ambassador Basilio talked about the long-standing friendship between the Filipino and Chinese people, strengthened by the same shared values such as filial devotion and the importance of family ties.
Ambassador Basilio spoke about the significance of 2015 in Philippines-China relations, as the two countries mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. The Ambassador also informed the delegation that 2015 has been declared by President Benigno S. Aquino III as “Visit the Philippines Year” and invited them to visit the Philippines with their parents.
At the end of the interview, each junior journalist lined up and presented their personal handmade gifts to the Ambassador. In turn, Ambassador Basilio presented each of them with Philippine dried mangoes and tourism brochures featuring selected destinations in the Philippines. The young delegates were also treated to a typical Filipino merienda.
The Home and Abroad News Press’ Magazine and website will publish the interviews and report on the activities conducted by the Junior Journalists Delegation in Beijing. It will also feature various aspects on Philippine culture and the salient aspects of Philippines-China relations. END