GOVPH

FILSBA badminton tourney serves up camaraderie among Shanghai Pinoys, Expats

Shanghai, 15 April – Amid an intense display of racket skills and grace, camaraderie reigned supreme at the Spring Tournament 2023 of the Filipinos in Shanghai Badminton Association (FILSBA) held at the DC Badminton Hall in Qingpu District.

Helmed by the FILSBA leadership under its President Nicol A. Francisquete and Vice President Sandi Esther G. Agustin, the Tournament made a successful comeback after COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns across China forced a hiatus.

Joining Filipino expatriates were local Chinese players, as well as participants from Europe, the US, Indonesia, and others.

Consul General Josel F. Ignacio formally opened the half-day Tournament. “Badminton is one of the world’s most popular sports, and this tournament is emblematic of the ascent of the global Filipino, who fulfills duty to the motherland while elevating the profile of our country and people,” he said as he congratulated FILSBA and the players.

Also at the Tournament were badminton players from the PCG’s ranks, Attachés Jeannie F. Petrola, Jennifer M. Ranches and Angela E. Lopez, who regularly take part in FILSBA’s weekly non-competitive drop-in games and who assisted in officiating the matches. END

Chinese group tour travel to PH resumes after three years

First Post-Pandemic Tour Group Visa issued in Shanghai

14 April – Inbound Chinese tourism into the Philippines took another step towards recovering pre-pandemic levels with the issuance of the first group visa for a Chinese package tour group at the Consulate General in Shanghai, on 14 April 2023.

The Tour Group shall be traveling to a Philippine beach destination later this month.

The issuance marks an important milestone in outbound Chinese travel to the Philippines. China relaxed three-years of COVID19-related restrictions on inbound-outbound travel on 08 January, and took a further step on 06 February with the resumption of outbound group tours.

Philippine consular offices across China opened their doors to Tour Group visa applications on 10 April, observing a three-working day turnaround time. The first application in Shanghai was filed on 11 April.

Until this week, had only been accepting individual visa applications.

Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, Consul John Francis S. Herrera, and DOT Shanghai Administrative Officer Warren S. Palacio witnessed the release of the visa to the travel agency representative. 

“Our Consulate General fully supports our country’s tourism goals vis-à-vis the Chinese market, which has been an important driver of inbound arrivals prior to the pandemic”, said Consul General Ignacio.

Only Travel Agencies duly accredited with the Consulate General may submit Tour Group Visa applications. These agencies must be accredited by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), must have a subsisting Cooperation Agreement with a DOT-accredited Philippine tour operator, and must be endorsed both by the DOT and the DFA. END

China rolls out red carpet for fresh Philippine Durian, King of Fruits

First Shipments Arrive from Davao

Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, 11 April – Chinese wholesalers, retailers and consumers turned out in droves to welcome the arrival of the first shipments of fresh Philippine durian into China at Jiaxing’s Haiguangxing Premium Fruit Market, the major gateway for imported fruits into East China.

Joining Chinese officials and fruit traders at the ceremony were Consul General Josel F. Ignacio and Commercial Vice Consul Mario C. Tani of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Shanghai C. Tani.

Three containers’ load of fresh PH durian were unveiled to great fanfare as befits the landmark event. Durian tasting for the large audience closed the event.

The Chinese side included Mr. WANG Jianjun of the Jiaxing Foreign Affairs Office; Haiguangxing Fruit Market Chairman WANG Weiming and General Manager XU Zheng; CEO WEI Yalin of Zhejiang Xinghang Agricultural Science & Technology Co., Ltd.; and General Manager YE Jianping of Jiaxing Fuye Trading Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang Xinhang of the Xinglong Group are the local partners of Davao City-based pioneer durian exporter Eng Seng Food Products.

The fresh durians were part of the 28-ton first shipment out of Davao City on 6 April that entered through Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The shipment marks the first concrete outcome of the bilateral agreement on the export of fresh durian to China sealed during the Presidential visit of January 2023.

Durian is a top-seller in China and was the country’s top imported fruit in 2022, at 825,000 tons valued at USD 4.03 billion. Demand continues to outpace supply.

“I am pleased to be welcoming today to China a different kind of V-I-P from the Philippines: a ‘V-ery I-mportant P-roduce’”, said Consul General Ignacio in his address. With the Philippines dominating the banana and pineapple market, “we wish to add to our good reputation by providing you the best and freshest Durian, rivaling that from other countries. END.