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The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Shanghai inaugurated its new, expanded Consular Area on 19 November 2022, in rites led by Consul General Josel F. Ignacio leading the rites.

The new Consular Area, in full operations since 01 November 2022, supplants and substantially improves on the former frontline service space dating back to 2010, located on the far end of the Chancery.

Consul General Ignacio, assisted by Deputy Consul General Marlowe A. Miranda, unveiled the commemorative plaque and entryway to the new Consular Area. Sharing the honors were Aspac Land Development (Shanghai) Co. Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Hector Ty, and Dai-Ichi Electronics Shanghai Co. Ltd. General Manager Ms. Lee Mie Yee.

ASPAC Land, which owns the Metrobank Plaza Building that houses the Consulate General, undertook the improvement of the Consular Area. Philippine audio speaker exporter Dai-ichi, for its part, provided and installed PA systems.

Members of the Filipino community, PCG personnel and other guests were on hand to witness the milestone.

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It was the first major renovation of the PCG premises since it moved to its present location in March 2010. Taking up the space of a former office wing by the Chancery entrance, the new Consular Area is modern, open, airy, and substantially larger. It sets aside 36.84 sq.m. (396.54 sq. ft.)  of floor space just for clients, with comfortable seating, compared to the previous site’s meager 25.40 sq.m. (273.40 sq.ft.).

The new Consular Area also doubled the number of service counters, from just four windows in the original location, to eight new, well-partitioned counters, each equipped with two-way intercom system. A new consular service queuing management system was also installed.

“The PCG is a service institution, and the Consular Area is the beating heart of the Mission”, said Consul General Ignacio. “through this larger, better planned space with improved amenities, we hope to improve the experience of the people we serve.”

inauguration3The larger area also anticipates higher client traffic, with travel to the Philippines normalized and with China finetuning its own travel policies.

Invited to go through the new site, Filipino Community leaders and guests applauded the improved consular facilities and thanked PCG for this initiative.

Their reaction echoes feedback received since the commencement of operations at the new Consular Area almost three weeks prior. Filipino and foreign clients availing themselves of PCG’s services have voiced unequivocal praise and approval.

The Philippine Consulate General covers Shanghai and the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Hubei, with an estimated Filipino population of over 7,000. Until the COVID-19 pandemic, the PCG was among the Philippine Foreign Service Posts with the highest number of visa applications. END

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vaw 0PCG Hybrid Forum Surveys, Elaborates on Key Chinese Statutes to Combat Violence Against Women (VAW)
Immigration and Visa Rules Also Clarified

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SHANGHAI –  In observance of the coming 18-Day Campaign to End Violence against Women (VAW) the Philippine Consulate General organized and hosted a hybrid (online/in-person) “Forum on Chinese Law relating to VAW” on 12 November.

The 18-Day Campaign takes place on 25 November to 12 December of every year, as mandated by Proclamation 1172 s. 2006 and Republic Act 10398.

Deputy Consul General Marlowe A. Miranda keynoted the event. Lawyers ZHANG Wenxian and XU Junjie of the Shanghai office of internationally the renowned Beijing Yingke Law Firm served as guest resource persons.

vaw2Atty. ZHANG gave a presentation on VAW as addressed by the PRC’s Civil Code, Criminal Law, and the Law of the PRC on the Protection of the Rights of Women (1999, amended 2005).

She touched on legal definitions, relevant and relevant provisions of law on physical, sexual and domestic abuse, and notable cases. Crucially, she also explained mechanisms for recourse to law and seeking financial compensation via civil litigation or “criminal incidental civil litigation”, application for a personal safety protection such as through restraining orders.

Recognizing the vulnerability of women migrants and the nexus between VAW and migration, Atty. XU delivered a presentation on China’s visa and immigration rules, and residence permit applications and renewal.

“In China as in the Philippines, there is a need to systematically address social and cultural norms that perpetuate VAW,” emphasized Deputy CG Miranda as he opened the event. Later, during the Open Forum, he assured the audience of the Consulate General’s readiness to extend assistance to Filipinos suffering from gender-based violence and seeking help, and to coordinate with local authorities as warranted.

Individuals seeking assistance from VAW and other forms of gender-based violence may dial hotline 021-962525; 110 for criminal act reporting/handling; 120 for injury or medical emergency; or 12345 (government services hotline).

The Consulate General, for its part, may be reached via its WeChat account (ID: PhinShanghai) or emergency hotline: (+86-21) 139-1747-7112. END 

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SHANGHAI – The Philippines is well-positioned to be a major source of China’s food imports, according to the Philippines-China Food Cooperation and Business Forum held on 7 November 2022, on the sidelines of the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world’s largest import-themed exhibition.

Organized by the Bank of China (BOC), the Forum gave attendees an overview of the overall healthy state and exciting prospects of trade in food products and agricultural goods between the Philippines and China.

forum boc2Mr. Cao Derong, President of the China Chamber of Commerce of Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CFNA), identified fruits and related preparations; vegetable oils; and aquatic and marine products as China’s chief food imports from the Philippines.

CFNA data showed that last year, China imported 847,000 tons (+4.5% y.o.y.) worth USD 490M (+8.3%) from the Philippines. Pineapple imports hit 184,000 tons (+15.6%) worth USD 130M (+20.1%), while coconut oil imports reached 44,000 tons (+0.1%) worth USD 77M (+77.3%)

“The Philippines is as much occupied with value and quality as we are with volume”, said Philippine Consul General Josel F. Ignacio in keynote remarks. “China is now a moderately prosperous society. Philippine food enterprises are just as focused on matching the constant upgrade in consumer tastes and trends in China”.

Mr. Larry A. Chan, President of Liwayway China Company Ltd. of Shanghaojia (Oishi) fame, delivered remarks on the Philippine snack company’s growth and plans.

Validating the rosy prospects emerging from the Forum, attendees witnessed the ceremonial presentation of a number of purchase agreements sealed at the Expo between Chinese buyers and Philippine CIIE exhibitors, as well as of cooperation Agreements between the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau and the CFNA and SFA on the Chinese side..

Also gracing the event were Mr. NING Feng, President of the National Convention and Exhibition Center and representative of the CIIE Bureau; Mr. GAO Kemin, Vice President of the Shanghai Food Association; and Ms. LIU Yan, Deputy GM of BOC-Shanghai.

With Consul General Ignacio in the Philippine team were Agricultural Counsellor Ana GM B. Abejuela, Commercial Counsellor Emmanuel N. Ang, Commercial Vice Consul Mario C. Tani, CITEM Business Representative Raymond Tan, and DTI-Export Marketing Bureau Senior Specialist Heizle U. Trasmañas. END

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Chinese Demand for Imported Fruit Rising

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SHANGHAI – Goodfarmer Foods Holding (Group) Co. Ltd., one of China’s leading fruit and fresh produce traders, is keen to boost its fruit imports from the Philippines, including breaking other Philippine fruits into the Chinese market.

This was the gist of discussions between Goodfarmer executives and a team of Philippine officials that visited the firm’s sprawling warehouse near the coastal area of Shanghai’s Fengxian District. The warehouse operation is run by the firm’s logistics arm, Shanghai Goodfarmer Logistics Distribution Co. Ltd.Led by Philippine Consul General in Shanghai Josel F. Ignacio, the visiting team included Agriculture Counsellor (Beijing) Ana GM B. Abejuela, Philippine Trade and Investment Center (Shanghai) Chief Mario C. Tani, Consul Francis M. Herrera, CITEM Business Representative Raymond Tan, DTI-Export Marketing Bureau Specialists Ms. Heizle Trasmañas, Christine Grace C. Victoria, and Raiza A. Caybot, and Ms. Forrina SUN.gf2

They were warmly received by no less than Goodfarmer’s Founder and CEO LIU Zijie, General Manager (GM) Eric ZHENG, GM David XU, GM FENG Jicheng, Director Alex Zhou, and GM Michael LI of the company’s Davao operation, Goodfarmer Fresh Fruit Trading Corp.

The Philippine officials were toured by CEO Liu around the warehouse and shown the company’s state-of-the art refrigeration, ripening, packing, quality control systems and other processes.

From its origins as a garlic and ginger exporter in 2002, the company has since expanded to importing bananas, young coconut, pineapples, papaya, dragon fruit, kiwi, oranges, avocados and durian, among others. Its top imports from the Philippines are Cavendish bananas and pineapples, in a relationship dating back to 2011.

Goodfarmer is keen on increasing the volume of its Philippine banana and pineapple imports, of which it ships about 120 and 80 containers weekly. The firm seeks to expand its Philippine supplier network and is also looking to adding Philippine durian to its menu, once Chinese market access approval is obtained.

The visiting Philippine officials assured Goodfarmer of support. Both sides also exchanged ideas on expanding the relationship to cover dried and frozen foods, as well as other items for Goodfarmer’s nascent line of juices and other fruit-based products. END

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DF2020