GOVPH

Philippines commences Hangzhou Asiad Campaign

PH Missions in Beijing and Shanghai Lend Full Support

HANGZHOU, ZHEJIANG – Hopes run high as the Philippines begins its campaign in the 19^th Asian Games that officially opened in Hangzhou, China, on 23 September.

The country is fielding close to 400 athletes in the Hangzhou 2022 Asiad, which will run until 08 October.

On hand to cheer their countrymen were Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime A. FlorCruz, accompanied by Mrs. Ana Segovia FlorCruz, Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, and officials from the Philippine Embassy in Beijing and Consulate General in Shanghai.

The two foreign service posts have a joint team in Hangzhou to support liaison with host authorities and provide protocol, logistical and other forms of support to the Philippines’ participation.

Ambassador and Mme. FlorCruz joined other dignitaries at the dazzling Opening Ceremony on the evening of 23 September at Hangzhou’s Olympic Sports Center Stadium, in rites that showcased both China’s rich culture and its technological prowess.

Earlier that day, the Ambassador and Consul General Ignacio welcomed star pole vaulter EJ Obiena – currently ranked world number two – on his arrival at the Athlete’s Village. The Consulate General arranged his transport from Huzhou, one of the several host cities of the 19^th Asiad, in time for the Opening Ceremony where he was Philippine flag-bearer.

The Embassy and Consulate General are all out in their support for the Philippine campaign. In the run-up to the Asiad, the two foreign service missions had engaged POC officials in regular coordination meetings.

On 22 September, Ambassador FlorCruz and Consul General Ignacio met and conveyed their well-wishes to Filipino athletes as they hosted Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham N. Tolentino to afternoon tea at the Hangzhou Marriot Hotel Qianjiang.

Joining the POC President were Rep. Aniela Bianca Tolentino (Cavite, 8^th District), Cavite Vice Gov. Athena Bryana Tolentino, and POC Legal Counsel Wharton R. Chan.

Also on the 22^nd, the Philippine diplomats had the opportunity to greet other athletes and dignitaries, including Rep. Faustino Michael Carlos T. DY III (Isabela, 5^th District) and Rep. Eric Reyes Buhain (Batangas, 1^st District).

The Philippines is one of the few countries that have taken part in the Asian Games since its inception in 1951.

Host city Hangzhou, one of Zhejiang Province’s premier metropolitan areas, is under the consular jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai. END

PCG drives local diplomacy to higher gear with participation in Changzhou Cycling Event

Changzhou, Jiangsu – The two-wheel enthusiasts of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) and the Department of Tourism Office (PDOT) in Shanghai joined counterparts in tracing a path to friendship and cooperation at the 2023 BELT AND ROAD DIPLOMATS' CYCLING SERIES held on September 16-17 in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province.

Organized by the Bicycle and Fencing Sports Management Center of China’s General Administration of Sports, the event saw the enthusiastic participation of trained and amateur cyclists in timed competition heats as well as pure fun-and-fitness categories.

Joining a large group of Chinese bikers were representatives from the Philippines, Belgium, Egypt, Indonesia. Kazakhstan, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Romania, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Yemen.

PCG and PDOT were represented by Tourism Attaché Ireneo H. Reyes, and PCG Attachés Mr. Mark Anthony Z. Geguera, Mr. Joel D. Mariñas, Ms. Lani G. Nicolas-Javier, Mr. Nilo K. Palaya, Ms. Angela E. Lopez, and Ms. Gigi Marie U. Llanera, together with family members.

Jiangsu is one of China’s most highly developed and economically dynamic provinces, ranking second only to Guangdong in provincial GDP. Changzhou, meanwhile, is known for its high-end manufacturing that includes new energy vehicles, motor vehicle parts, and new materials.

“Our participation is consistent with our drive to raise engagement with key Chinese localities under our jurisdiction, which benefits Philippines-China ties at large”, said Consul General Josel F. Ignacio. END

Cebu Pacific-Shanghai Office calls on PCG; welcomes launch of PH e-Visa

SHANGHAI – Shared confidence in a steady uptick in Chinese inbound tourism to the Philippines reigned during the latest courtesy call of Cebu Pacific Airlines’ Shanghai Office on the Consulate General in Shanghai on 13 September.

Meeting Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, Tourism Attaché Ireneo H. Reyes and DOT-Shanghai Administrative Officer Ghienel S. Gustilo were the airline’s Shanghai Representative Office Sales Manager Ms. Kelly Tao, Sales Supervisor Mr. Sam NI, and General Sales Agent Mr. Bruce BIAN.

Cebu Pacific updated the PCG and PDOT on the ongoing recovery of Cebu Pacific’s multiple connections to Mainland China since the latter’s re-opening to normal travel early this year. The airline thanked the Consulate General in Shanghai, which sees the highest visa issuance numbers in the Mainland, for its strong support for efforts to promote Chinese travel to the Philippines,

Cebu Pacific also welcomed the Philippine Government’s revival of the Tour Group visa in Spring and more recently, the introduction of its electronic visa. Both were piloted in Shanghai. The PCG issued the first revived Chinese Tour Group Visa in April. In August, it also issued the Philippines’ historic first e-Visa. The first e-Visa travelers to the Philippines arrived on 02 September.

The two sides exchanged views on Chinese leisure travel trends and forecasts. Cebu Pacific committed to support the Philippines’ tourism promotion drives in the Yangtze River Delta area. 

The Philippines is one of the preferred Southeast Asian destinations for Chinese travelers. In 2018 and 2019, over 1.2 million and 1.7 million Chinese tourists, respectively, trooped to the Philippines. END