July-September 2005 Publication of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing

Philippines-China CHRONICLE

Vol. 6 No. 3 July-September 2005 Publication of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing

bers of the Filipino community during the Philippine Chief Justice Davide visits China dinner, the Chief Justice stressed the role that each Filipino could play in nation- Mrs. Gaa hosted the Chief Justice, Mrs. building. Virginia Davide, and the delegation to an activity called “Embassy Night” at the During the dinner, Filipino community Embassy’s Acacia Hall. members Jose Viola “Ka Peping” and Lisa At the program, Ambassador Gaa Tanner rendered musical performances. noted that with the visit of the Chief Jus- CNN Bureau Chief Jaime FlorCruz tice to China, he was privileged to have astounded visitors with his flawless display received all the heads of the three co- of Chinese opera skills. Mrs. Davide and equal branches of the Philippine Govern- other members of the delegation and the ment during his tour of duty. President Filipino community also gamely rendered Arroyo visited China in September 2004. songs and piano performances. Senate President Drilon and Speaker de Members of the delegation included Venecia visited China in April and Sep- Associate Justices Leonardo A. Qui- tember 2004, respectively. Ambassador sumbing, Conchita Carpio-Morales and Chief Justice Hilario Davide and wife, Virginia, Gaa also noted the increasing cooperation Adolfo S. Azcuna of the Supreme Court, pose with Ambassador and Madame Gaa at the between the Philippines and China on associate justices from the Court of Ap- Embassy. mutual legal assistance and on criminal peals, and RTC/MTC judges and lawyers. Philippine Supreme Court Chief Jus- matters. tice Hilario Davide led a delegation of 56 In his remarks, the Chief Justice noted justices, judges, lawyers and their the excellent state of bilateral relations spouses to attend the 22nd Biennial Con- between the two countries. He recalled the ference of the World Jurist Association in visit to the Philippines of Chinese Supreme Beijing and Shanghai on 4-10 September. People’s Court President Xiao Yang in Aside from participating in the Con- 2001 to attend the 100th anniversary of the ference, the Chief Justice also met with founding of the Philippine Supreme Chinese Supreme People’s Court Presi- Court. He also said that he was happy to dent Xiao Yang and exchanged views on have visited China before his retirement Philippines-China relations, including later in the year. bilateral legal cooperation. Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna and Mrs. Asun- Acknowledging the presence of mem- cion Azcuna with Minister Jaime Victor Ledda On 6 September, Ambassador and and Mrs. Gina Ledda. Former Chinese Ambassadors make nostalgic visit to RP RP-PRC trade hits US$7.8B Five former Chinese Ambassadors to the Philippines made a nostalgic visit to the Philippines on 5-10 July 2005 as part of the Philippines-China trade grew 35 year-long activities to celebrate the 30th percent in the first half of the year anniversary of the establishment of diplo- to reach US$7.78 billion. Accord- matic relations between the two countries. ing to statistics from the Chinese H.E. Ke Hua, the first Ambassador of General Administration of Cus- the People’s Republic of China to the Phil- toms, Philippine exports to China ippines in 1975, led the delegation that also amounted to US$5.53 billion while included Ambassador Wang Yingfan, cur- imports from China reached rently Vice Chair of the Foreign Relations Former Chinese ambassadors to the Philippines US$2.239 billion, representing Committee of the National People’s Con- pose with President Arroyo. year-on-year increases of 45.6 and gress of China, and Ambassadors Chen Embassy in 1975. 14.4 percentages, respectively. Songlu, Huang Guifang, and Guan Deng- Secretary Romulo described the meeting The Philippines posted a trade sur- ming. They were joined by their spouses. as “a gathering of the hands and minds” plus of US$3.295 billion. During their visit, the Ambassadors paid that helped bring bilateral ties from their courtesy calls on President Gloria Macapa- early tentative steps to the threshold of what RP-China trade amounted to gal-Arroyo, Speaker Jose de Venecia and President Arroyo and President Hu Jintao US$13.3 billion in 2004. Since Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo. called “a golden age of partnership”. 2000, RP-China trade has been Secretary Romulo hosted a luncheon in The Ambassadors also met with former growing at an average rate of 43.78 honor of the visiting Ambassadors and Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, who percent. During the visit of Chi- former Philippine Ambassadors to China, was instrumental in the establishment of nese President Hu Jintao to the including Ambassadors Felipe Mabilangan, diplomatic relations between the Philip- Philippines in April 2004, a trade Romualdo Ong, Josue Villa, and Rafael pines and China, and were hosted to a ban- figure of US$30 billion was tar- Gonzales. The latter served as the quet by the Chinese-Filipino community in geted for 2010. first Chargé d’Affaires at the Philippine Manila. Philippines-China Chronicle 2 July - September 2005 DIPLOMATIC NOTES RP young political DOT Beijing puts up booth in international tourism exhibition leaders visit China To promote the Philippines to cos- A delegation from the Philippine mopolites in the capital, the Philippine Council of Young Political Leaders Tourism Office in Beijing joined the (PCYPL) headed by Bulacan Governor Tourism Exhibition and Photography Josefina de la Cruz paid an official Display of the 8th Beijing International visit to China on 3-10 July 2005 at the Cultural and Tourism Fair (BICTF) invitation of the International Depart- held at the Sun Dong An Plaza on ment of the Communist Party of China Wangfujing on 23- 25 September 2005. Central Committee (CPCCC). Aside from putting up a booth, DOT In Beijing, the delegation met with Beijing also contributed beautiful Posing in front of the Philippine booth at the 8th photographs of Philippine travel desti- Beijing International Cultural Tourism Festival National People’s Congress Standing (BICTF) are (from left) Minister Jaime Victor Committee Vice Chairman and Chi- nations for the Fair. Ledda of the Philippine Embassy, Ms. Xiong nese Association for International Held annually, the Exhibition is a Yumei, Deputy Director of the Beijing Tourism platform for Chinese and foreign Administration, Ms. Jazmin Esguerra, Tourism Understanding (CAFIU) Vice Presi- Attaché, Ms. Zhiju Qin, Editor-in-Chief of Tour- dent Cheng Siwei and Vice Minister tourism industry sectors to showcase ism Magazine and Ms. Ruth Chuaunsu, Philip- Cai Wu of the CPCCC International their travel products and services. pine Airlines District Manager. Department. Minister and Consul Jaime Victor the opening ceremonies of the travel Mr. Cheng noted during his meeting B. Ledda and Tourism Attaché Jazmin fair. Ambassador and Madame Gaa with the delegation the “very good” Esguerra represented the Embassy at later visited the Philippine booth. state of cooperation between China and the Philippines in the economic field. Filipino dance group joins tourism and cultural festival He cited the Caloocan-Malolos North- Tourism Festival (BICTF) that opened rail project, which he said will con- on 24 September 2005. tribute to the development of Bulacan. The festival, held annually by the Governor de la Cruz affirmed that Beijing Municipal Government and the 21 out of the 32 kms. of the Northrail’s Beijing Tourism Administration, is tracks will be in Bulacan. She aimed at promoting greater understand- expressed appreciation for the confi- ing and exchanges between China and dence shown by Chinese investors in the world and to promote the 2008 the Philippines. Beijing Olympics. Artists from more She added that more Chinese in- than 40 countries performed in this year’s three-day festival. vestments are awaited in the country. The Leyte Kalipayan Dance company performs Vice Chairman Cheng said the Chi- their stilt-walking dance at the annual parade of the The Leyte Kalipayan Dance Com- th nese government encourages its busi- 8 BICTF. pany was founded in 1961 and is com- nessmen to invest overseas, and that The Leyte Kalipayan Dance Com- posed of students. The group has been active in repre- the Philippines will have several op- pany delighted thousands of spectators senting the Philippines in international portunities to attract Chinese invest- with their skillful stilt-walking dance at the annual marching parade of the folklore festivals as cultural ambassa- ments. 8th Beijing International Cultural and dors. CPCCC International Department Vice Minister Cai noted during his Philippines in Jilin trade expo Embassy promotes RP in Beihai meeting with the PCYPL delegation Ambassador Willy Gaa led a 60- the need to promote more exchanges member delegation of Philippine gov- between the two sides. ernment officials and business repre- During the visit, an MOU for ex- sentatives in participating in the First change of visits between CAFIU and China Jilin-Northeast Asia Investment PCYPL was signed. and Trade Expo held on 2-6 September The young leaders’ delegation also 2005 at the Changchun Jilin Interna- visited Hangzhou and Xiamen. tional Exhibition Center. Philippine participation was jointly sponsored by the Jilin Fuhua Interna- tional Group and the Philippine SL Agritech Corporation, partners in the Embassy Minister Jaime Victor B. Ledda promoted the Philippines as an investment desti- Philippine hybrid corn development nation for Chinese businessmen at the China- project. ASEAN Business Leaders Conference held in The Philippine delegation was com- Beihai City in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous posed of government officials from the Region on 4-5 July 2005. regions that are active in the hybrid corn project. Also participating were and the National Federation of Hog representatives from the Philippine Farmers. International Trading Corporation, At the Expo, aside from exploring Bulacan Governor Josefina de la Cruz and the Federation of Filipino Chinese further cooperation in hybrid corn, CAFIU Secretary-General Xu Jianguo sign the Chambers of Commerce, Philippine participants showcased Philippine fruit MOU for exchange of visits between PCYPL Chamber of Commerce and Industry, exports like banana, coconut products, and CAFIU. Philippine Exporters Confederation, and arts and handicrafts.

Philippines-China Chronicle 3 July - September 2005 DIPLOMATIC NOTES RP joins conference on Chinese Ambassador Gaa assumes Ambassador and Mrs. Gaa host The Philippines, represented by the ACB chairmanship ACB videoke party Ateneo de Manila and the Philippine Ambassador and Mrs. Gaa hosted a Cultural High School, participated in videoke party for ASEAN Committee the First World Chinese Conference Beijing (ACB) ambassadors, their held in Beijing on 20-22 July. The spouses and coordinators on 14 Sep- Conference discussed ways to promote tember at the Acacia Hall of the Em- and facilitate the teaching and learning bassy. of the Chinese language around the The ambassadors noted that the world. party, which was the first-ever videoke At the opening ceremony on 20 party held for ACB members, offered a July, Dr. Ellen Palanca, head of the good opportunity for the ACB to get Ateneo Chinese Studies Program, together on an unofficial basis and received, on behalf of the Ateneo, a Myanmar Ambassador H.E. Thein Lwin turns relax in each other’s company. plaque certifying the establishment of a over to Ambassador Gaa the chairmanship of the The ambassadors, who proved to be “Confucius Institute” at the university. ACB on 7 September. Looking on are other relaxed and adept singers, kidded each Launched in 2004, Confucius Insti- members of the ACB and their representatives. other whenever the videoke machine tutes are non-formal, non-degree edu- scored their performances. cational institutions that help promote Philippine Ambassador to China Madame Gaa prepared a delicious Chinese culture and Chinese language Willy C. Gaa assumed chairmanship of spread of Filipino dishes for the guests. learning and teaching training abroad. the ASEAN Committee, Beijing The number of Filipinos studying (ACB) on 7 September 2005. His term Chinese increases every year. For the will last until the end of the year. current semester, more than 200 The ACB, an ASEAN third country Filipinos have enrolled to study Chi- committee in China, is composed of nese in various universities in Beijing. the 10 ASEAN ambassadors in Beijing. Its chairmanship is rotated in alphabeti- Embassy ladies show off cal order among the ASEAN embassies Filipiniana costumes every four months. As mandated by the ASEAN Stand- ing Committee (ASC), the functions of the committee are to conduct consultative meetings with the host government, to address ASEAN concerns, and Ambassador Gaa (center) sings “Day-o” with to promote ASEAN interests in China. Ambassadors Vichit Xindavong of Laos (left) and Dato Syed Norulzaman of Malaysia (right) at the videoke party. Ambassador Gaa visits Huawei Philippine Ambassador to China Embassy ladies show off Filipiniana cos- Willy C. Gaa and Vice Consuls Char- tumes to the tune of popular Chinese song lotte Tang and Jim San Agustin visited “Molihua” (Jasmine) at the Poly Plaza the headquarters of Huawei Technolo- Theatre on 20 July 2005. The number was gies Co., Ltd. in Shenzhen on 29 July part of the gala show for the First World 2005 at the invitation of the latter. Chinese Conference held in Beijing on 20- 22 July 2005. At the company, the Ambassador was briefed by Huawei officials on AFP officers call on Ambassador Gaa Huawei’s development and their plans for further cooperation with the Philippines. Madame Gaa (center) sing with (L-R) Madames Nwe Nwe Han (Myanmar), Keoduangdy Xin- davong (Laos), Noraini Zahari (Malaysia), and Envoy joins flower expo Wang Lee Moi (Singapore).

Embassy wins silver in bowling

After ten games which took place over a 17-month period, the Embassy placed second in the first round of the ASEAN Bowling League (ABL) com- petition. An AFP delegation, headed by Col. Aldred The Embassy team which won the Limoso (third from left), called on Ambassador trophy is composed of Ambassador Gaa (center) on 21 September 2005. The delegation visited Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai on Gaa, Madame Gaa, Alfredo Sumala, 21-26 September upon the invitation of the Jane Sumala, Raul Guerrero, Abraham Ambassador Gaa visited Chengdu and Jiuzhai- Foreign Affairs Office of the Chinese Ministry of th Castillo, and Roberto Lagarde. First National Defense. Also in photo are (L-R) Capt. gou on 28-30 September to attend the 6 China Flower Expo in Chengdu. He is shown here at place went to Embassy of Cambodia. Jose Maria Evidente, Major Adel Lebin, Cdr The second round of games started Bobby Palmero, Defense Attaché Samuel Nar- the opening ceremony of the Expo with Israeli buada and LCdr. Lloyd Casis. Ambassador Yehoyada Haim. in September 2005. Philippines-China Chronicle 4 July - September 2005 DIPLOMATIC NOTES Former Senator Legarda speaks at Ex-SFA joins minerals meeting 21st Century Forum

Ambassador and Mrs. Gaa host dinner for Philip- Former Senator Loren Legarda chairs a session on pine Commission on Human Rights Chairperson mass media at the 21st Century Forum held in Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert speaks Purificacion C. Valera Quisumbing (seated, right) rd Beijing. Looking on is co-chair Yang Lan (center). and Commissioner Wilhelm D. Soriano (2nd from at the 3 PECC Minerals Network Meeting. left) on 28 August. The two officials attended the Former Senator and journalist Loren 13th Annual Workshop of the Framework on Former Philippine Foreign Affairs Legarda and Ms. Maritess Pineda, Regional Cooperation for the Promotion and Secretary and current Presidential President of Zonta Club of Makati and Protection of Human Rights in the Asia Pacific Adviser on Mining Delia Domingo- Region in Beijing. Also in the photo are (standing, rd Environs Foundation, Inc. represented left to right) Consul Elizabeth Te, Vice-Consuls Albert participated in the 3 Pacific the Philippines at the 21st Century Jim San Agustin and Charlotte Tang, and Minister Economic Cooperation Council Forum, which was held in Beijing on Jaime Victor Ledda. (PECC) Minerals Network Meeting 5-7 September 2005. held in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province on The Forum, whose theme was 8-11 September 2005. “Sustainable Development – China and Madame Albert shared the Philip- the World,” was organized by the pines’ experience in the sustainable Chinese People’s Political Consultative development of the mining sector. She Conference (CPPCC). also took the opportunity to invite par- During the Forum, Ms. Legarda co- ticipants to invest in the development chaired the session on “Participation of of the Philippine mining sector. Mass Media in Sustainable Develop- Madame Albert was accompanied ment” with famous Chinese TV anchor by Mr. Jaime Victor B. Ledda, Minis- Ms. Yang Lan, who is also a member ter and Consul of the Embassy. of the CPPCC National Committee and Ambassador and Mrs. Gaa host dinner for Senior Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno (center, seated) Chairperson of the Sun Media Invest- and Associate Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago RP wins Holcim awards ment Board. (standing, 2nd from right) at the Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant on 9 September. The two justices The Philippines won two of nine During the Forum, former Senator awards in the first Holcim Awards for Legarda also called on creditor coun- passed by Beijing on their way to attend the Third Regional Seminar of Asian Constitutional Court Sustainable Construction for the Asia- tries and other concerned parties to Judges in Ulaan Baatar on 6-8 September 2005. Pacific Region given at the Diaoyutai consider debt relief (e.g., through debt- Also in photo are Atty. Luzviminda D. Puno, State Guesthouse on 22 September. for-environment swaps) for developing spouse of Justice Puno (seated, right), Vice Consul The team of Roland Rodriguez, Charlotte Tang (standing, left), Philippine Sports countries such as the Philippines, to Commissioner William Ramirez (third from right), Lemuel Alfeche and Oscar Cinco won enable these countries to devote Mrs. Ramirez (right), and friends of Atty. Puno. the silver award for their project resources for sustainable development. "Concrete Substrates for Accelerated RP attends APC Workshop on Coral Restoration," an inexpensive but PNP officers in ASEAN+3 workshop Regional Capacity Building for effective method of renewing coral growth in devastated marine areas. Durable Solutions In addition, the team of civil engi- The Philippines participated in the neer Artessa Saldivar-Sali and architec- Asia Pacific Intergovernmental Con- ture student Aaron Lecciones won one sultations on Refugees, Displaced of three encouragement awards for Persons and Migrants (APC) Work- their plan for an Ivatan Agricultural Campus in Itbayat, Batanes that will shop on Regional Capacity Building meet residents’ requirements for train- for Durable Solutions in Beijing on 4-6 ing in agricultural methods as well as July 2005. develop eco-tourism potentials in the At the workshop, Assistant Chief island with energy-efficient structures. State Counsel Ruben F. Fondevilla, who is also Assistant Head of the Refu- gee Processing Unit of the Department The Philippine National Police officers, led by of Justice, presented the asylum profile Deputy Director Vidal Querol (2nd from left), pose with Ambassador Gaa (center) in front of of the Philippines, as well as the legis- the Embassy. The police officers participated lative and policy framework for refu- in the Workshop on Police Exchange and gees, asylum seekers and migrants. He Cooperation among Capital Police Agencies also described the role of the Philippine from ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea held on 16-18 August 2005 in Beijing. Bureau of Immigration and the United Also in the photo is Col. Samuel Narbuada, Nations High Commissioner for Refu- Embassy Minister Jaime Victor Ledda (right) poses Philippine Defense Attaché to China (right). gees and discussed prospects of the with Holcim awardees and officials at the Diaoyutai issue. State Guesthouse in Beijing (Photo from Starweek) Philippines-China Chronicle 5 July - September 2005 COMMUNITY BRIEFS

FROM THE CONSUL’S DESK PROFILE OAV Registration Enrico A. Mariano Commercial Attaché The Philippine Em- Embassy registration nd (This is the 22 of a series of features bassy would like to in- All Filipinos working in Beijing are on Philippine diplomats currently form all Filipinos in Beijing that the serving in China) encouraged to register with the Em- continuing registration for the next bassy. Registration forms are available Philippine elections will be con- at the Embassy’s consular counter, or ducted from 10 October 2005 to 31 may be downloaded from the Embassy August 2006. Qualified applicants website (www.philembassy-china.org). may register at the Embassy from The requirements for registration are: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at their con- two ID pictures, photocopy of passport venience during scheduled days and proof of residency or employment within the 11-month registration pe- in China, e.g., photocopy of residence Enrico Mariano, of the Department riod. They are reminded to bring permit (for Z visa holders) or contract of of Trade and Industry (DTI) Foreign their passports. employment. Trade Service Corps, recently assumed Those who registered in the Em- his post as the Philippines’ Commer- bassy during the last elections may cial Attaché in Beijing. claim their voter’s ID cards during Parental travel permit He joined the Corps in 2004, and the next registration dates. Registered during his stay in Manila, served as voters with incomplete biometrics Please be informed that the Philip- close-in assistant to the Trade Secre- data (e.g. no pictures) will need to pine government prohibits minors from tary. He also specialized in the elec- present themselves for the live cap- traveling abroad unless accompanied by tronics and information technology ture of their photograph and finger- services sectors. both parents. As an exception however, prints. Before joining the DTI Foreign at least one of the parents or a legal Registration dates for the period Trade Service Corps, Mr. Mariano guardian may accompany the minor 10 October to 31 December 2005 are: provided that he/she is issued a parental worked as a business information ana- lyst at Software Ventures International OCT: 10-14, 16-21, 23-28, & 30 travel permit by any DSWD regional NOV: 02-04, 06-11,13-18, 20-25, office in the Philippines. DSWD re- where he gained experience in the field of Knowledge Management. He also & 29-30 quires the accompanying parent to pre- previously worked as a stockbroker DEC: 01-02, 04-08, 11-15,18-22, sent (1) an affidavit of consent to travel agent in the Philippine Stock & 27-29 executed by his/her spouse, (2) the Exchange. child’s NSO-authenticated birth certifi- Mr. Mariano holds a B.S. degree in Filcom in SAGIP (Beijing) cate (3) the couple’s marriage certifi- Business Economics from the Univer- cate, and (4) a photocopy of the execut- sity of the Philippines School of Eco- Beijing-based Filipinos will partici- ing parent’s passport. Overseas-based nomics and an MBA from the U.P. pate in the Government’s “Classroom Filipinos may execute the affidavit at College of Business Administration. galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino the nearest Philippine Embassy or Con- He was also awarded an exchange Abroad” project by raising US$8,000 sulate. scholarship in France as part of his (RMB64,000) for the construction of MBA studies. New face in the Embassy two classrooms in a still to be decided He is joined in Beijing by his wife province in the Philippines. Ms. Melanie Butic is Ruzette. The community aims to raise funds the newest addition RP Consul in “Pinoy Abroad” for the project dubbed as “Silid Aralan to the Embassy fam- Vice Consul Jim Tito San Agustin Galing sa Pinoy sa Beijing” (SAGIP ily. Prior to assuming Beijing) through donations and activi- post in Beijing on 25 was interviewed recently by GMA-7 in ties such as a food bazaar, Christmas August 2005, Mel connection with its program Pinoy was a desk assistant Abroad’s September 2005 feature on party raffle draw, sports festival and at the North Asia Filipinos working in China. Vice Con- community disco. Melanie Butic Division of the Of- sul San Agustin stressed that despite Those interested to be part of the fice of Asian and reports to the contrary, job opportuni- project are advised to regularly check Pacific Affairs of the ties in China, particularly for Filipino the Filcom e-group for developments. DFA. teachers, remain limited. Only a few universities and colleges are licensed to Philippines-China hire foreign teachers, and most prefer CHRONICLE employing native English language is a quarterly publication of the speakers. Philippine Embassy in Beijing. He advised teachers to beware of Contributions and comments are welcome. illegal recruiters promising high- paying jobs in China, and to refrain Address: No. 23 XiuShui Bei Jie, from applying via the internet, where Jianguomenwai, Beijing most of the fly-by-night recruitment People's Republic of China 100600 Trunklines: (10) 6532 1872, 6532 2451, 6532 2518 agencies operate. He also requested Fax No: (10) 6532 3761 victims of illegal recruiters to help the E-mail: [email protected] government control illegal recruitment www.philembassy-china.org activities by filing affidavits of Vice Consul Jim San Agustin during his inter- complaint against their recruiters. view for Pinoy Abroad as shown on television. Philippines-China Chronicle 6 July - September 2005 HIGHLIGHTS OF PHILIPPINES-CHINA RELATIONS 100 Filipino youth visit China on anniversary Consulate launches “The Philippines in Shanghai”

Ambassa- dor Willy C. Gaa graced the launching of the coffee- table book entitled “The Philippines in Shanghai” on 11 July 2005 at the Peace Hotel. The book, published by the Philip- pine Consulate-General in Shanghai under the leadership of Consul- General Yabes, is one of the Consu- late’s projects to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Philippines-China diplo- 114 Filipino youth take a pose after the sumptuous dinner hosted by the All-China Youth Federation. matic relations. In his remarks, Ambassador Gaa In Beijing, Assistant Foreign Minis- A delegation of 114 Filipino youth said that the book offers perspectives headed by National Youth Commission ter Shen Guofang and ACYF Honorary on Philippines-China relations before (NYC) Chairman Paolo Benigno President Zhou Qiang hosted banquets “Bam” Aquino IV visited Beijing, for the youth delegation. Philippine diplomatic relations with the Shanghai and Hangzhou on 10-18 July On 13 July, Chairman Aquino and People’s Republic were established and 2005 at the invitation of the All-China Mr. Zhou also signed an MOU to fur- after China’s imperial period. Youth Federation (ACYF). ther promote youth exchange. He also noted that the book tells The visit is one of the activities to A Chinese youth delegation of 100 the stories of Filipinos and pioneers th mark the 30 anniversary of diplomatic will visit the Philippines in November. who helped foster bilateral relations in ties between the Philippines and China. the past thirty years. It also points to It also implements the NYC-ACYF the promising future of Philippines- Cooperation Agreement on Youth Af- China relations and the unique role that fairs signed in April 2005. The delegation, composed of young Shanghai plays. leaders from the government, busi- In 1948, the Philippines opened its ness, and student sectors, familiarized consulate in Shanghai only to close it themselves with various aspects of more than a year later because of po- Chinese culture and society during the litical circumstances. visit. On 10 July 2002, the Philippines re- NYC Chairman Bam Aquino and ACYF Honor- established a consulate in Shanghai Tourists from China grow 146% ary President Zhou Qiang shake hands after under the People’s Republic. signing the MOU on youth exchange. With the continued efforts of the Philippine Department of Tourism PAL to resume direct flights to Beijing in November (DOT) to attract more Chinese tourists to visit the Philippines, China Philippine Airlines will resume alternative to the current one-stop has become the Philippines' fastest direct flights to Beijing starting 11 flights or transfer connections, usually growing source of inbound tourists. November, 16 years after the national via Xiamen or Hong Kong. In the first half of 2005, Chinese carrier last flew its service to the The Manila-Beijing flights will depart at 0730H and arrive at 1155H. tourist arrivals in the Philippines Chinese capital in 1989. The Beijing-Manila flights will depart increased 146 percent over the same Ambassador Gaa welcomed the resumption of the flights and said that at 1255H and arrive at 1715H. period in the previous year. China it was auspicious that it is happening now ranks seventh in terms of tourist during the 30th anniversary of the es- arrivals after the United States, South tablishment of diplomatic relations Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan between the Philippines and China. and Australia. He added that the flights will further DOT will continue to intensify its boost the Philippines’ efforts to pro- promotional activities in China by mote the country as a tourism destina- focusing on attracting young city- tion for Chinese travelers. based professionals in Beijing, The flights will have a Tuesday- Shanghai and Guangzhou to visit the Friday-Sunday weekly schedule Philippines. and will give travelers a time-saving