CLARK FREEPORT -- Clark Development Corporation (CDC) officers and front-line staff will undergo basic Mandarin language course in one of the top universities in the country.

This was gleaned in the three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between CDC and the Confucius Institute–University of the Philippines Diliman (CI-UPD) here.

The said MOU signed by CDC President and CEO Noel F. Manankil and UP Diliman Confucius Institute (UPD-CI) Chancellor Michael L. Tan serves as part of the state-owned firm’s support for its employees’ capacity - building program.

Recognizing China as one of its major markets for tourism and business-related pursuits, CDC entered in an MOU to give a more improved services by fully understanding language and culture.

The MOU was also a result of the influx of Chinese investments, tourists and guests in this Freeport and the country.

Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Wilma Eisma also signed up and partnered with CI-UPD.

CDC Chairman Jose “Ping” De Jesus with Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Confucius Institute – Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Director Lourdes Nepomuceno, Mark Nepomuceno, CDC Tourism Promotions Manager Noemi B. Julian and other officials from Xiamen University and Mabalacat City College were also present to witness the said signing.

The CDC – Tourism and Promotions Division stated that in June and September of this year, around 4,000 Chinese tourists have toured Clark from cruise ships that called at the port of Subic.

There are also several Chinese investments in Clark which cater to mainland Chinese and Taiwanese tourists. (PR)