PHL-China Years of Friendly Exchanges launched

Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday led the launching of the 2012-2013 Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges (YFE).  Some 250 diplomatic corps members, government officials, Filipino-Chinese community representatives, business leaders, academicians, cultural personalities, and members of the media attended the launching event at the DFA Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing and Vice Minister for Agriculture Niu Dun, Special Envoy to the Philippine launch of the YFE, led the Chinese guests in the launching program. Washington Sycip, a respected member of the Filipino-Chinese community and an internationally recognized business leader in the Asia and Pacific, was the keynote speaker. Sycip was one of the founders of SGV accountancy firm and the Asian Institute of Management. Del Rosario said the launching of the of the Years of Friendly Exchanges is "a most fitting tribute to our long history of amity, and a testament to our two countries' resolve to tread that path of harmonious and just relations."  

During the state visit to China of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III from August 30 to  September 3 last year, he and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed to designate the years 2012 and 2013 as the Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges.

During the next two years, there will be more exchanges between government officials, legislators, the youth, entrepreneurs, educators, media practitioners, artists, athletes, among others. The move aims to strengthen understanding and mutual trust between the two countries and peoples. There will be a series of activities, presentations, lectures, concerts, among others, to nurture people to people exchanges.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) will host the China launching of the friendly exchanges in Beijing in April. - VVP, GMA News