In the belief that the media plays a special role in propagating messages of friendship between the Filipino and Chinese peoples, the Philippine Embassy in China introduced several members of the Chinese-speaking media like China Radio International and Global Times English and Chinese editions to Filipino food, on the occasion of the “Flavors of the Philippines” food festival currently running at the Westin Beijing Chaoyang from 18 to 30 June 2013.

During an intimate lunch and dinner hosted by the Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda Basilio and by officials of the Philippine Embassy, some members of the Chinese press were introduced to dishes like lechon, pork sinigang, kinilaw, lumpiang sariwa, squid relleno, and chicken inasal.   Ambassador Basilio said that Filipino cuisine is heavily influenced by Chinese cooking, and added that Philippine mangoes are known for their sweetness and softness because of the soil and latitude in which they are planted.

Ambassador Basilio conveyed the importance of bringing the message of friendship of the Filipino people to the Chinese people, saying “the Philippines brings goodwill, and the Filipino people would like to be good friends with the Chinese people.”  She added that the Philippine Embassy would like more friendly exchanges with the Chinese media.  For their part, members of the Chinese media said, “Please tell the Filipino people that the Chinese people are very friendly.”    They added that many aspects of Philippine ordinary life, economy, culture and even politics are not known to the Chinese people, and expressed surprise at the fact that a number of ordinary consumer goods in China are manufactured by Philippine-invested companies.

Both sides agreed to deepen communications, and exchanged ideas on how to build new partnerships.