CEBU, PHILIPPINES — Chinese Consul General Zhang Zhen has invited Cebu Province to participate in the 2026 China-ASEAN Expo as she hailed it as the “Province of Charm” during the celebration of the 25th China-Philippines Friendship Day at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Tuesday evening.
“We gather to look back at our shared history, and also look ahead with renewed hope and shared vision,” Zhang said in her speech.
She underscored the centuries-old relationship between the Chinese and Filipino peoples, saying the two nations have long been connected through trade, cultural exchanges, and intermarriage.
“Generation after generation, Chinese immigrants and their descendants have made enormous, irreplaceable contributions to every single stage of the Philippines’ development,” she said.
Zhang also recalled the sacrifices made by Chinese and Filipino-Chinese fighters who fought alongside Filipinos against Japanese forces during World War II, calling their shared struggle a “blood-deep friendship” that remains part of both countries’ common legacy.
Marking 51 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines on June 9, 1975, Zhang said China has consistently stood in solidarity with the Filipino people by extending assistance in areas such as disaster relief, health emergencies, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
“The path to lasting friendship is not without obstacles, yet it is the only path worth taking. Good-neighborliness serves the fundamental interests of both our peoples and countries,” she said.
She stressed that opportunities for cooperation outweigh existing differences and emphasized the need to maintain stable bilateral relations and a conducive environment for economic growth and collaboration.
Zhang also announced that China is set to launch its 15th Five-Year Plan, which she described as an opportunity not only for China’s development but also for international partners, including the Philippines, to benefit from innovation, cooperation, and shared progress.
Having served in Cebu for more than three years, Zhang said what she would remember most are the warmth, sincerity, and kindness of Cebuanos and Visayans.
“Your warm smiles, your firm handshakes, our shared aspiration for peace and development, have given me nothing less than confidence and motivation,” she said.
“Let us carry forward our friendship. May our friendship endure forever. May peace embrace our homelands, may prosperity bloom for our people, and hand in hand, let us build a brighter shared future for all,” she said.
Baricuatro, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of people-to-people connections and international cooperation, emphasizing the opportunities that arise from mutual understanding and shared experiences.
In her message during the event marking the 51st anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, Baricuatro said friendship between nations is nurtured not only through official relations but also through cultural exchanges and meaningful partnerships.
Baricuatro recalled leading a Cebu Province delegation to Fujian, China, earlier this year, where she gained valuable insights into healthcare and traditional medicine, environmental protection and waste management, as well as the preservation of culture and heritage while pursuing development.
She added that the visit further strengthened her appreciation for the opportunities that can be created through cooperation and understanding between communities and nations.
Baricuatro also announced that Cebu Province will return to China in September to participate in the China-ASEAN Expo, where Cebu will represent the Philippines as the “Province of Charm.”
She expressed hope that the event would further deepen friendship between Filipinos and Chinese people and pave the way for greater cooperation, understanding, and shared prosperity in the years ahead.
The event gathered officials from the Cebu provincial government, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and representatives of the Filipino-Chinese community, as well as Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano, and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi King-Chan, to commemorate the longstanding friendship between the two countries, explore opportunities for greater cooperation in the years ahead, and reaffirm the commitment of both sides to deepen exchanges and create more opportunities for future generations.
| Written by Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/IHM
