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Every June 9 is Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day. It
commemorates the establishment of relations between the Republic of
the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China in 1975.
President Gloria Arroyo declared
this special commemoration in 2002.
The celebration is always
organized by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce
and Industry Inc. or FFCCCII. This year’s was the seventh
Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day Celebration Night.
The speeches delivered by the
President and Ambassador Song Tao were virtual declarations of love
between the Philippines and China.
Said the President: “It was my
honor when I was Co-Chairman then of the Association for
Philippines-China Understanding, to have been among those who worked
for our diplomatic relations 33 years ago, in recognition of the
friendship between our two peoples that has existed for centuries.
“And as mentioned by our
speakers earlier, again, it was my honor to sign Presidential
Proclamation No. 148 in 2002 to celebrate June 9th of every year as
Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day, in recognition of the indelible
bonds between our two countries that has enriched Philippine life
for so long.
“Since that day, that first
celebration of Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day in June of 2002,
since then our overall relations with China have become more
confident, mature, and comprehensive. Our relations are punctuated
with substantial and important projects aimed at deepening exchanges
in many areas, including trade, investment and official development
assistance. China is currently our largest export market today. We
have a trade surplus with China since 2002. Our Framework Agreement
on Expanding and Deepening Bilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation
further enhances our bilateral merchandise trade with China.
“Tonight’s commemoration of
friendship, expanding trade and economic cooperation assumes greater
significance in the grim shadow of the tragedy that struck Sichuan
province a few weeks ago.
“We share in the suffering of
our Chinese brethren. In behalf of the Filipino nation, we reiterate
our heartfelt sympathies to the earthquake victims but we know that
the Chinese people under the leadership of President Hu Jintao and
Premier Wen Jiabao will recover swiftly from this tragedy, rebuild
their lives and march on toward greater progress.
“We wish China our best as it
hosts the Beijing Olympics. This global event will showcase what
China can offer as the fastest growing economy in the region and in
the world…
And as we continue down the path
of greater regional economic and security cooperation, we are
confident that our relations with the People’s Republic of China
will become even stronger.”
Ambassador Song’s reponse
After expressing courtesies to
the President and hosts, Ambassador Song Tao reviewed
Philippines-China relations.
“Over the last thirty three
years, our good-neighborly relationship has become closer and our
friendly sentiments deeper with each passing year, owing to the
concerted efforts of leaders, governments and peoples of our two
countries.
“On January 24, 2002, Her
Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared June 9 every
year as the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day. It is a marvelous
decision full of wisdom and insight, bringing thousand-year-old
friendship between China and the Philippines to a historic new
height.
“Experience of the past serves
best as guidance to the future. In the past several years, we have
seen rapid developments in various fields between our two countries.
Our political ties have been further strengthened. President Arroyo
has contributed a great deal to the constant promotion of
Filipino-Chinese friendship. We have also witnessed a rapid increase
in our bilateral economic cooperation.
“Our trade volume reached 30.6
billion U.S Dollars in 2007, realizing ahead of schedule the 30
billion U.S. Dollars target set out jointly by Her Excellency
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Chinese President Hu Jintao.
“Exchanges in the fields of
culture, education and sports between our two nations are on the
rise, reaching out to each and every family of the Filipino people.
2,000 volunteer teachers
Two thousand Chinese volunteer
teachers now are on the Philippine soil spreading the seeds of
friendship for our two countries and the people-to-people exchanges
between our two countries last year exceeded one million.
“On May 12, 2008, a devastating
earthquake hit China’s southwestern Sichuan province. Immediately
after the catastrophe, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
expressed condolences and sympathy to China and extended respect for
the dauntless spirit shown by the Chinese people and admiration for
relief efforts of the Chinese government and military, adding that
the Philippine government has been more than willing to help the
Chinese brothers and sisters in whatever way to relieve their pains
and sufferings.
“On behalf of the Chinese
government, please accept my sincere gratitude for the condolences
and assistance that the Philippine government and people, as well as
Filipino-Chinese community here have kindly offered for China’s
disaster relief. I want to share with each and every friend this
evening the fact that currently the relief work is proceeding in an
orderly and effectively way. The Chinese people will ultimately
overcome difficulties and prevail over the severe disaster with the
strong leadership of the Chinese government.
“As Her Excellency Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo will grace the opening ceremony of the Beijing
Olympic Games, I want to tell all the friends present here that,
while the Chinese Government and people are steadily conquering the
massive quake disaster and rebuilding their homeland, China will
earnestly fulfill its commitments to the international community and
work with the international Olympic family for the success of the
upcoming Beijing Olympic Games. Now all the preparations for the
Beijing Olympic Games are in full swing, the Chinese government and
people are confident to hold unique and excellent Olympic Games.
Madame President, Welcome to Beijing.
“Her Excellency Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo has all along been a staunch leader showing a lot
of care, help, support and consideration to the Filipino-Chinese
community. As head of state of the Republic of the Philippines,
President Arroyo has frequently visited the Chinatown in Binondo. I
am sure that under the great leadership of President Arroyo,
Filipino-Chinese will make greater contributions to the growth and
prosperity of the Philippines. And as a bridge for the furtherance
of the China-Philippines friendship, the Chinese community in the
Philippines will make fresh progress in boosting the friendly
relations and exchanges between our two nations.
May the friendship between our
two nations last for ever.
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