GOVPH

Air Asia China pledges all-out support for PH tourism and passenger traffic recovery

SHANGHAI – With China’s international flight connections steadily recovering, Air Asia called on the Consulate General in Shanghai to pledge its support for the effort to restore air routes between the Philippines and China and promote inbound Chinese tourism into the country.

This was the gist of talks between the Consulate General and the carrier, during the call of General Manager Mr. Frank Tantin, Head of Strategy and Government Relations Mr. John Huangjiang and Government Affairs Department officer Ms. Helen Hailin on 27 April.

Air Asia China underscored the importance it accords to the Philippines. The airline underscored the non-suspension of its Guangzhou-Manila flights throughout three years of COVID-19.

Air Asia sees the progressive resumption of its flights in Mainland China, and is looking forward with anticipation to the revival of its Shanghai-Manila service and other former routes from China to the Philippines.

The two sides exchanged updates on topics crucial to meeting pent-up Chinese travel demand after three years of virtually closed Chinese borders. Air Asia China committed to support the tourism promotion drives in the Yangtze River Delta area carried out by the Consulate General and the Philippine Department of Tourism Office.

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

Consular Corps, Filipinos in Shanghai extend condolences over the passing of former Foreign Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario (1939-2023)

SHANGHAI – Members of the consular corps and individual Filipinos visited the Consulate General in Shanghai on 24-25 April to sign the condolence book opened in memory of former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario, who passed away on 18 April at age 83.

Officials of the Consulate General led by Consul General Josel F. Ignacio and Consul John Francis S. Herrera received and thanked the visitors for their commiseration.

Secretary del Rosario was the Philippines’ chief diplomat from February 2011 until March 2016. He was Ambassador to the United States from 2001 until 2006.

His term as Foreign Secretary was marked by personal attention to the welfare of overseas Filipinos, including in conflict areas. He was an indefatigable champion of a rules-based international order and the resolution of disputes in accord with international law.  END

Chinese E-Jeepney project with Bacolod fast tracks iconic ride to clean fuel era

Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 25 April –  The iconic Philippine jeepney moved further up the road to modernization as Bacolod City prepares to welcome the prototype e-Jeepney developed by Korean-invested Chinese company Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd. (Fengchuen). 

The e-Jeepney prototype was unveiled to Consul General in Shanghai Josel F. Ignacio, Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Shanghai Head Mario C. Tani and Assistant Ms. Sun Qian during their visit to Fengchuen’s Headquarters and assembly plant in Jiangyin, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, on April 25.

Receiving them were Fengchuen founder and Chairman Mr. LI Longde, Korean General Manager Mr. JEONG Hae-il, Vice President CAO Jun; COO Mr. Lang Zhehan, and other executives.

Prior to the factory floor visit, Chairman Li and GM Jeong provided a briefing on the company and the genesis of its e-Jeepney project with Bacolod City during the Presidential Visit to China in early January 2023. Work on the prototype was based on the outcomes of extensive consultations with the Bacolod City government on requirements and standards, and with jeepney operators on desired design and capacity specifications.

With the visiting Philippine officials and Fengchuen executives aboard, the 22-seater e-Jeepney was put through its paces at the factory’s test road, to showcase its power, stability, roadworthiness and standard features such as rapid A/C cooling and video monitors. Fengchuen also took great case to preserve key elements of the jeepney’s iconic look.

At the time of the Philippine officials’ visit, a prototype was seaborne to Bacolod City, for presentation to and evaluation by city government officials.

Also known as E-Future, Fengchuen is a Chinese “total solution provider” specializing in EV vehicles for logistics transport, and their lithium EV batteries. Big on R&D, Fengchuen undertakes its own product engineering and design for EV batteries and core electric vehicle elements such as power trains and electrical units. It is keen on other EV-related investments in the Philippines. END