China to open direct Fujian-Cebu flights in March

Direct flights will be opened between Fujian and Cebu next month, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan announced on Friday night.

“China has decided that we will open direct flights between Fujian and Cebu on March 29th. That will be the first of flights... If there are more tourists coming, we will increase,” Jing said at the official launch of the Chinatown Revitalization Phase II at the Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila.

"Because more Chinese tourists are also coming back to Manila, we already agreed to add two more direct flights between Manila and Fujian," he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who attended the event, welcomed China's decision.

“And I hope that it will be the beginning of more interactions and people-to-people exchange between China and the Philippines,” he said.

Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. board member and public information committee chairman Wilson Lee Flores, in a statement, said it was "good news for tourism in the Philippines."

“Hopefully we can enhance efficiency, facilities, security, and all other aspects needed to ensure better tourism,” he added.

Chinese nationals can stay in the Philippines for up to 14 days without a visa if they are traveling for tourism or business purposes.

The visa-free privilege is valid for entry only through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu. —VBL, GMA Integrated News