PH broaches prospects for upgrading Jiangsu-ASEAN engagement
16 December - Consul General Josel F. Ignacio sketched out a promising future for cooperation between ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China’s manufacturing powerhouse, Jiangsu Province in remarks delivered at a virtual Symposium on 16 December.
Organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, the Symposium touched off the province’s observance of ASEAN-Jiangsu Exchanges Week, running from 16 to 20 December.
Consul General Ignacio’s well-received address opened the thematic discussion on Jiangsu and ASEAN Cooperation Prospects. “Jiangsu and Southeast Asian countries have already built for decade a robust basis for mirroring the vitality and mutual benefits of China-ASEAN relations”, he emphasized.
He trained the spotlight on the wealth of ASEAN-China documents that be roadmaps for further boosting engagement. He cited the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, the 2019 ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Synergising the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP).
Citing Jiangsu’s vaunted economic and industrial might and its strategic advantage being home to the world’s third busiest port, he broached driving inclusive and comprehensive recovery through connectivity and trade. He called for cooperation on health, climate change, the digital divide, and other common challenges.
The Consul General took the opportunity to also raise the profile of the Philippines’ own productive engagement with Jiangsu Province. Ranking second in terms of provincial GDP in the Mainland, he stressed Jiangsu’s potential as a major market for PH goods, and gateway for trade with the rest of China.
Economic Officer Conrado B. Demdem Jr., and PH Department of Tourism Deputy Tourism Attachê Warren S. Palacio also represented PH at the proceedings.
The Symposium was preceded by a colorful Opening Ceremony. Graced by Provincial Executive Vice Governor Fei Gaoyun, Provincial Deputy Secretary General Huang Lan, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Kung Phoak, and ASEAN-China Center Secretary General Chen Dehai, among others.
Also onsite were provincial Commerce, Culture, Tourism, and Education officials. Taking part online, meanwhile, were ASEAN diplomats from Beijing and Shanghai, and representatives from various Jiangsu-based think tanks, universities, and enterprises.
A highlight of the ASEAN-Jiangsu Exchanges Week was a cultural performance auspiciously titled “Ride the W
ind and Waves, Build the Future Together.” Featuring students from the Nanjing University of the Arts (NUA), it showcased folk and modern dances and songs from China and the AMS. Performing the Philippine number in barong was student Tian Xiangye, who performed Orange and Lemons’ Pinoy Ako, against backdrop of stunning Philippine scenery and tourist spots.
In 2020, Jiangsu-ASEAN trade reached USD 90 billion, making ASEAN Jiangsu’s 3rd largest trading partner in the world. Both have 27 sister-city relations, with more than 9,000 Southeast Asian students currently studying in the province. 
With the Philippines, Jiangsu Province imported around USD 3.4 billion in goods in 2020, making it the 2nd largest importer of PH goods among China’s provinces in 2020. In March 2021, Jiangsu inaugurated the first cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) cargo flights to Manila. This October, the Ganyu District Government in the port city of Lianyungang launched the China-Philippines CBEC Industrial Park to facilitate e-commerce merchandise trade and logistics. END
