20 April 2021, Shanghai – Taizhou City, a fast-growing metropolis and vibrant industrial center in Zhejiang Province, is keen on boosting trade and investment ties with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.

This was the principal message of Taizhou Municipal People’s Government Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) Director Jin Jingzhong in a courtesy call on Consul General Josel F. Ignacio yesterday.

With a GDP of RMB 520 billion (USD 80 billion) in 2020, Taizhou City’s economy ranks among the top five cities of Zhejiang province. It takes pride in being the birthplace of Chinese automobile manufacturer Geely. Having become an “export-oriented city”, it now trains its sights on encouraging its local enterprises to “go abroad and invest overseas”, according to Director Jin.

The Consul General welcomed Taizhou City’s interest, which he said would further boost the vigorous economic engagement between the Philippines and China these past five years. He expressed the Consulate General’s readiness to facilitate contacts and partnerships with Philippine counterparts. Philippine Trade and Investment Center Representative Mario Tani, for his part, cited opportunities in the automobile, electronics, agriculture, and food sectors. Taking note of Taizhou City’s record in cultivating industry while preserving its natural environment, Consul Conrado Demdem underscored the potential of sharing green development models as a further bridge toward engaging Philippine counterparts. END