Members of the Philippine Council of Young Leaders visited Beijing and Nanning in October, and participated in the forum on “Promoting China-Philippine People-to-People Exchanges and Cooperation”, upon the invitation of the Chinese Association for Friendship and International Understanding (CAFIU).

In his opening address, CAFIU Secretary General Ni Jian welcomed the delegation to Beijing in this “autumn season of harvest”, alluding to his hope that the visit of the delegation would yield a rich harvest of friendship and goodwill.

  

Congressman Lawrence Fortun of Agusan del Norte, in his opening speech, said that China’s development perspective of peace, harmony and cooperation between China and the ASEAN is of particular interest to the Philippines as a founding member of the ASEAN.  He, along with all other speakers, acknowledged the existence of differences, saying that “the pursuit of peace and harmony in the region, while a common dream among us, will normally be confronted with several challenges, among which would be our inherent differences and inconsistent interests. But these impediments are surmountable as we have proven time and again. Our common aspirations, as always, will lead us to an effective management of this diversity and turn these challenges into opportunities.”

 

During the forum, Deputy Chief of Mission Antonio Morales reiterated the commitment of the Philippine side to the furtherance of cooperation and friendship between the Philippines and China.  In recognizing the role of young leaders and their potential contribution to national development, he acknowledged that CAFIU’s hosting of young leaders from the Philippines will sustain the commitment of people “who pursue harmony and cooperation over conflict and competition”.   

 

Even as many of the speakers acknowledged the existence of differences between the two countries, all of them emphasized the need to build strong grassroots ties, and echoed what Deputy Chief of Mission Morales earlier observed that “the friendship of peoples underpins the friendship of states”.

 

During the open forum, CNN Bureau Chief Jaime Florcruz shared that, in his younger days, he joined a youth delegation visit to China, from which his long sojourn in China then commenced.  He advocated more exchanges among youth leaders which will deepen the fundamentals of friendship between the two countries.

 

Cebu 5th District Board Member Miguel Antonio Magpale ended the forum by describing the bonds which tie the Philippines and China, and said that occasionally, this bond can be strained; he added that both sides exert their efforts to retie this temporarily strained bond which, like knots on a broken rope, serve to bring both sides closer together. 

 

(From left to right) First Secretary Ivan Frank Olea, Zambales Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain II, Philippines Council of Young Leaders Executive director Rollie Fabi, Ms. Miej Jornacion DeDios, Congressman Lawrence Fortun, Senate staff Maritoni Alvarez, Deputy Chief of Mission Antonio Morales, Minister Evangeline Ducrocq, Marco Polo Hotel F&B Director Ronald Yulo, CNN Bureau Chief Jaime Florcruz, Third Secretary Lily Ann Cheng

The Philippines and China recognize the constructive role played by friendship associations as precursors of good relations between the two countries.  The inroads made by friendship associations in earlier decades were cemented by the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1975.  Both countries are committed to developing even deeper relations between friendship associations and are currently exploring further cooperation.