Consulate, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies talk future exchanges

Shanghai, 5 August 2021 – Consul General Josel F. Ignacio was warmly received today by respected Chinese international relations scholar Dr. YANG Jiemian, President Emeritus of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), at the Institute’s home in Xuhui District.

The call marks an auspicious and good start for the Consulate General’s drive to engage Shanghai’s leading think tanks and thought leaders.

An esteemed figure in policy circles within and without China, Dr. Yang is, among others, Senior Fellow and Chairman of the SIIS Academic Affairs Council, and Counsellor of Shanghai Municipal People's Government. He holds degrees from the Shanghai Teachers’ University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and the Shanghai International Studies University, and sits on the boards of the China National Association for International Studies, Chinese People Institute of Foreign Affairs, National Association of China-U.S. Friendship, Shanghai Association of Taiwan Studies and other organizations.

Notably, Dr. Yang is the brother of the Hon. Yang Jiechi, former Foreign Minister and currently Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee.

Consul General Ignacio and Dr. Yang engaged in a warm, candid and extended exchange of views on various topics of mutual interest. These included sustaining the forward momentum of bilateral ties, advancing the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relationship, COVID-19 cooperation and recovery. Dr. Yang welcomed the Consul General’s mention and cognizance of the constructive role and value of Track Two diplomacy, including think tank and academic linkages, in promoting cooperation and overcoming difficult issues.

A Shanghainese, Dr. Yang also conveyed his interest in fostering closer engagement spanning the full gamut of relations between his home city and the Philippines as well as other ASEAN Member States.

The Consul General confirmed that this dovetailed with the Consulate General’s own thrust and consistent with the Philippines’ track record. He recalled the early manifestation of support for China and Shanghai’s “opening up” by companies such as Liwayway (China) Co. Ltd., Metrobank, and Dai-ichi Electronics Shanghai Co. Ltd., all of which set up shop in the city in the 1990s. He also outlined plans to revitalize Sister City ties between Manila and Shanghai and to proactively to build Philippine economic and people-to-people linkages with the Yangtze River Delta Region.

Consul General Ignacio was accompanied at the call by Deputy Consul General Marlowe A. Miranda and Consul Conrado B. Demdem, Jr. Dr. Yang was backstopped by SIIS Department of International Exchanges Director Mme. Zhu Juhua and Mr. Zhou Shengsheng.

Founded in 1960, the SIIS is a government-affiliated think tank which also advises the Chinese Government on foreign policy and security matters. With over 100 visiting fellows and support staff members and the support of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, the SIIS’ work focuses on countries and regions, as well as thematic issues such as economics, public policy, and international strategic studies. END