SHANGHAI – Embodying the Consulate General’s commitment to effectively representing the Philippines and engaging Chinese counterparts and stakeholders, two PCG officials graduated from this year’s Mandarin language and culture course organized by the prestigious East China Normal University (ECNU).
Vice Consul Richard L. Recella and Attaché Mark Anthony T. Villon joined 57 other foreign diplomats from a total of 28 Consulates General in the Chinese financial capital in earning their course completion certificates in ceremonies held on June 7 at the ECNU Putuo Campus’ Alumni House.
The course is offered annually for the benefit of diplomats assigned to Shanghai by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and the Shanghai Municipal Government’s Foreign Affairs Office (FAO).
Representing these agencies at the graduation rites were FAO Deputy Director Liu Guangyong, Director (Consular) Liang Lei, Deputy Director Chen Yongliang, and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission Deputy Director (International Exchange Department) Ge Jingyi.
ECNU International Education Center Director Huang Meixu keynoted the ceremony, offering congratulations to the diplomats who successfully completed the course, expressing admiration for their diligence in learning Chinese despite their busy schedules, and 
inviting them to regularly visit ECNU, having become its alumni.
Bulgarian Consul General Vladislav Spasov and Indian Consul General Pratik Mathur delivered speeches sharing their experience and gains from the program. Various performances were also featured, including some with the participation of graduating diplomats to showcase their Chinese learning and the vitality of cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.
All graduates sang the Chinese version of Auld Lang Syne (友谊地久天长, Yǒuyì dì jiǔ tiāncháng) to conclude the proceedings.
Held for 10 weeks, the 14th Diplomats’ Program exposed participating diplomats to practical Chinese language lessons, lectures on China's economy and diplomacy, visits to Xujiahui Academy and Shanghai Meteorological Museum, and to aspects of Chinese Dunhuang culture such as flying dance, clay tablet painting, and tea opera.
For the past 14 years, the Diplomat Program has provided a high-quality platform for language learning and cultural exchange for diplomats assigned in Shanghai, and has helped foster their linkages with the Shanghai Municipal Government. END
