A CHINESE official visited Iloilo on Thursday, October 25 in a bid to strengthen ties between China and the province and the country in general.
Chinese Consul General Jia Li in a meeting with Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., assured the governor of the Chinese government’s full support for the provincial government’s programs.
He said the governor could come anytime to his office in Cebu if he has some concern.
“I want to meet the governor. This is an opportunity to discuss on how we can enhance the relationship between China and the Philippines, may it be political, economic, or cultural,” he said.
Defensor said Iloilo has one of the biggest Chinese communities in the country. The Ilonggo-Chinese community has been instrumental in the business environment both in the city and province.
“Iloilo is one of the earliest Chinese settlements long before the Americans arrive. We’ve been training with China for centuries,” Defensor said.
Li said they also encourage people-to-people exchange program. They target the Filipino youth to go to China to study Mandarin. In exchange, they hope for the Chinese to get immersed with the history and culture of the Philippines.
“The youth is the future of the country. They are the important resources of the nation,” he said.
Li also attended the 15th founding anniversary luncheon of the Iloilo Scholastic Academy on Thursday at the Iloilo Grand Xing Imperial Hotel. (PR)