Consular Services Appointment System
ZTE briefs country team on Philippine operations and partnerships with PH Telcos
SHANGHAI – Chinese information and telecommunications technology giant ZTE Corporation is bullish about prospects in the Philippines, which its regards as a strategic market.
This was underscored by ZTE officials as they hosted the Philippine country team in Shanghai on a visit to its sprawling R&D Center in Zhangjiang Science City – “China’s Silicon Valley” – in Pudong District on 7 March.
Receiving the Country Team and touring them around the facility were Vice President Mr. YU Hai, Integrated Program Manager Mr. BAO Zhifan, Marketing Manager Mr. NIE Fangbing and Senior Foreign Affairs Assistant Ms. MA Li.
Consul General Josel F. Ignacio lead the team that included Consul John Francis S. Herrera, PTIC-Shanghai Head Vice Consul Mario C. Tani, Tourism Attaché Ireneo H. Reyes, and PTIC Assistant Wang Yanxia.
Founded in 1985 as a semiconductor firm, Shenzhen-based ZTE Corporation is now considered one of the world’s leading developers and suppliers of ICT products, services and solutions. Its clientele includes carrier networks, government and corporate clients. It also sells electronic under its consumer segment.
The Philippines was one of ZTE’s first overseas markets. ZTE established its Manila office, ZTE Philippines Inc., in 2002. ZTE has been supporting the Philippines’ adoption of 5G technology. It currently has partnerships with PLDT, (PLDT) Smart Communications Inc., Globe Telecom Inc. and DITO Telecommunity Corp.
The Philippine Country Team thanked ZTE for its confidence in the prospects of the Philippine telecommunications sector. “ICT and digitalization are crucial backbones in the country’s drive to realize and sustain a higher growth trajectory, and foreign partners, with their know-how and innovative solutions, have a vital role to play”, said Consul General Ignacio. END
PCG yoga session spotlights health, work-life balance in women’s empowerment
SHANGHAI – A Yoga Session was held at the Consulate General on 11 March as part of the Philippines’ annual observance of National Women’s Month 2023. PCG personnel and representatives of Filipino organizations took part in the activity.
Lending his expertise and experience was Dr. Avinash Mishra, a Shanghai-based Indian national and respected Yoga Master. Dr. Mishra leads the annual International Yoga Day sessions at the Indian Consulate General and key public venues in the city.
He holds a Master's Degree in Yoga Sciences from Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA) Yoga University, and a Doctoral degree on Traditional Chinese Sports from the Shanghai Sports University.
The PCG Yoga Session highlighted the importance of fostering practical work and discussion on advancing health as a key aspect of women’s empowerment and the drive toward gender equality. This is in keeping with the theme for Women’s Month for 2023-2028 set by the Philippine Commission, “WE for gender equality and inclusive society. “WE” stands for “Women’s Empowerment” and “Women and Everyone”.
“Yoga’s restorative benefits derives from its emphasis on mind-body harmony”, said the Consul General. “In like fashion, Women’s Month reminds us that promoting women’s rights, well-being and inclusivity are integral to harmony in our teams, communities, and societies.” END
PCG, Century Pacific see ocean of opportunity for PH’s processed marine and other products
Consul General Josel F. Ignacio received Mr. Adrian Campillo, General Manager and Sales Director of Century (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd. and Century Pacific Foods Inc. (makers of Century Tuna) on a courtesy call on 20 February. Present were Philippine Trade and Investment Center Chief Mario C. Tani, Consul John Francis S. Herrera and Trade Assistant Ms. Vicky Wang.
Reiterating Century Pacific’s commitment to the Chinese market since its entry in the 1990s, GM Campillo shared the company’s plans to grow its products into global brands, and to further promote sales and market share in Mainland China.
Century’s banner brands include Century Tuna and 555 marine products, Argentina canned and frozen meat, Coco Mama coconut milk, Birch Tree powdered milk, Angel canned milk, and Kamayan condiments. In 2021, it launched its “Unmeat” plant-based line to warm reception. The company is looking bringing in more Philippine brands and products into China.
CG Ignacio welcomed Century Pacific’s resolve to grow its China business and to introduce more Filipino brands, assuring the company of PCG and PTIC’s full backing. “Century should inspire other Philippine companies to follow Century’s lead and adopt globally oriented growth strategies that gain visibility for our quality products”, he said.
CG Ignacio took the opportunity to thank Century Pacific for supporting and providing goods for the Consulate General’s emergency food aid to Filipinos in May 2022, during the Shanghai lockdown last year. END
Shanghai Entrepreneurs Association eyes upping investment engagement with PH
Enterprises affiliated with the vaunted Shanghai Entrepreneurs Association (SEA) are keen to explore investment and expansion activities in the Philippines and scaling up Philippines-China business and tourism contacts.
This was the central message of the SEA delegation that called on the Philippine Consulate General on 16 February. The delegation consisted of Shanghai Hengshun Travel (Group) Co., Ltd. Chairman Mr. DING Weijie (travel and tourism); Henan Province Entrepreneurs Group GM Mr. SHI Baofeng (business and cultural exchange); Management Consultant Mr. SHA Wenhao (IT and enterprise strategy consulting); Shanghai Zeyuan Group Founder Mr. SONG Haitao; Ebrun Business School VP Mr. WANG Jianping (cross-border e-commerce), Mr. XU Jun (property development). They were accompanied by. Ms. Sammi Wu, Deputy Secretary General of SEA’s International Department.
Receiving them were Consul General Josel F. Ignacio, Consul John Francis S. Herrera, PTIC-Shanghai Head Vice Consul Mario C. Tani and PDOT Officer Warren S. Palacio.
The SEA delegation was briefed on areas of synergy between the two countries, such as artificial intelligence, e-commerce, technology and innovation, infrastructure, and property development, among others.
As an initial undertaking, both sides discussed the possibility of a SEA business mission to the Philippines within the year, in order to expose member-enterprises firsthand to the country’s strengths, investment policies and environment, industrial zones, and talent pool.
Founded in 2008, the SEA is under the oversight of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC). It counts over 1,000 members that include Shanghai’s most prestigious companies. The SEA also has close links with other chambers of commerce across China, some which are represented in its Board. END