GOVPH

Consulate General attends Jiangsu Province Dialogue with Consular Corps on services for expats

Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province – Deputy Consul General Marlowe A. Miranda, accompanied by Consular Attaché Ella Cecilia P. Acena, attended the Conference on Service for Expats in Jiangsu heldc at the Yidu Grand Hotel in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province on 12-13 October.

Organized by the Jiangsu Provincial Government to “promote cooperation and coordination” with foreign consular missions based in Shanghai, the Conference provided a comprehensive picture of the province’s policies relevant to foreigners. Key areas tackled included immigration, foreigner registration, employment opportunities especially in the education services sector, and consular assistance to foreigners involved in cases or violations.

Officials discussed various health and safety measures adopted by the province in response to COVID-19, which emphasized the ‘national treatment’ accorded to foreigners. Aside from vaccination and health services, officials also expounded on available avenues by which essential official, business or humanitarian travel could be facilitated in keeping with China’s current policies on international travel.

Participating diplomats were also briefed and given a brief tour highlighting the economic strengths of Yancheng City.

Provincial agencies involved in the program included the provincial Foreign Affairs Office (FAO), Education Department, and Public Security Department, as well as the Jiangsu People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Addressing the Conference, DCG Miranda underscored the Consulate General’s robust cooperation with Jiangsu authorities in extending consular assistance and in looking after the welfare of the Filipino community in the province.

Jiangsu Province is home to a sizeable number of Filipinos, spread across various cities and localities. The Province is also economically important for Philippine engagement with China, being a major gateway for Philippine exports into the country. Jiangsu imported some US$ 3.4 billion worth of Philippine products in 2020. END

Jiangsu Foreign Affairs execs call on PCG; Discuss elevation of bilateral and ASEAN-level engagement

Shanghai, 19 October 2021 – Deputy Consul General Marlowe A. Miranda, joined by Economic Officer Consul Conrado B. Demdem, Jr. and Tourism Attaché Mr. Ireneo Reyes, received today visiting Jiangsu Provincial Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) Deputy Director General Mr. HUANG Xiqiang.

DDG Huang is in Shanghai for a series of calls on the consular missions of ASEAN Member States, to discuss the Provincial Government’s intent to further heighten economic and cultural engagement with ASEAN countries, including a proposed “ASEAN-Jiangsu Exchange Week and ASEAN Cultural Festival” toward year’s end.  The move represents Jiangsu’s contribution to this year’s commemoration of 30 years of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

The DDG was accompanied by FAO Asian Affairs Division (AAD) Director Mr. ZHOU Gang, Vice Director Ms. WANG Wenhui, and AAD Section Chief Ms. HONG Beibei.

Highlighting ASEAN’s importance to Jiangsu in the Province’s own “new round of opening-up and reform,” DDG Huang, cited ASEAN’s rise as Jiangsu’s third largest trading partner. In 2020, both sides posted two-way commerce worth US$ 89.9 billion, about one-eighths of the province’s total bilateral trade.

DCG Miranda assured DDG Huang of the Consulate General’s support. He also took the occasion to thank Jiangsu authorities for its support for the Consulate General’s efforts to look after the welfare of Filipinos in the province, including the repatriation of Filipinos from Nanjing last May. Consul Demdem affirmed the Consulate General’s abiding interest in advancing PH-Jiangsu economic and business engagement.

Jiangsu is China’s third smallest province, but ranks fifth in terms of population (≈84 million as of 2020) and significantly, second in terms of provincial GDP. In 2020, GDP grew 3.7% year-on-year to RMB 10.27 trillion (US$ 1.59 trillion), second only to Guangdong Province.

It is also an important gateway for PH products bound for China. According to China’s General Administration of Customs, Jiangsu imported some US$ 3.4 billion worth of Philippine products in 2020, again ranking second only to Guangdong. END

Virtual Masskara Festival Celebration, 30 October 2021

From facemasks to full masks, join the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Tourism on a virtual celebration of the dynamic Masskara Festival of the City of Smiles, Bacolod City on this special episode of #FiestaFilipinas! Celebrate the MassKara Festival with us virtually on 30 October 2021, 4:00 p.m. (PST) via the official DFA Facebook and YouTube channel (@dfaphl).

Borne from a tragic disaster in the 1980s, the Masskara Festival was started by the people of Bacolod City to uplift the spirits of the locals. It is a declaration of the people that they will rise and survive the challenges and tragedies that they are facing, showing their resilience and tenacity. Together, “Kari sa Bacolod, Dala sang Maskara!” (Come to Bacolod, bring a Mask!) and let’s rise together from this time of uncertainties.

The “Fiesta Filipinas: An Online Celebration of Philippine Festivals” project is a multi-format online event which will simulate the experience of a festival through a combination of live and pre-recorded videos and live workshops and activities. The project aims to introduce and showcase Philippine festivals, culture, and traditions to our global audience and invite them to the country when conditions are more favorable. 

The project is organized by the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Tourism, in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

#FiestaFilipinas

#CulturalDiplomacy