The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) and various Filipino-Chinese associations celebrated the 23rd Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Reception Hall in Pasay City on June 7, 2024.
The event, themed “Dugong Tsino Pusong Pinoy,” was attended by China Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, representatives from Filipino-Chinese associations, political and business elites and overseas Chinese representatives.
FFCCCII president Dr. Cecilio Pedro highlighted the Chinese community’s contributions to the Philippine economic and social development and their active participation in charity activities. He emphasized the importance of friendship, understanding and effective communication in fostering stability, harmony, and regional development.
Key attendees included Counselor and Consul General Wang Yue of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, Senate President Francis Escudero and Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna.
The event also featured the launch of the Manila Galleon business magazine which aims to promote business exchanges and share the latest business trends between the Philippines and China.
It is expected that the Philippines and China will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation to jointly promote the prosperity and development of the two countries and the region.
The FFCCCII, together with other major Filipino Chinese community associations including the Filipino Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) also held the “FFCCCII Lakad Magkaibigan” civic walk on June 9, 2024 to commemorate Independence Day.
More than 5,000 participants joined the civic walk which started from Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and culminated at the Bonifacio and Katipunan Revolution Shrine on Padre Burgos Avenue.
The event featured a flower offering ceremony, a flag-raising ceremony and a short program led by FFCCCII.
Community leaders gave speeches honoring revolutionary heroes of Filipino Chinese descent, such as Dr. Jose Rizal and General Jose Ignacio Paua, along with World War II Filipino-Chinese guerrillas.
Simultaneous civic walks were also held in Bacolod City, Cebu, Tacloban and Palawan, amplifying the celebration’s impact across the country.
“Our walk today brought together participants from different sectors of the Filipino Chinese community, including major business and civic organizations, barangays, colleges, and schools. This occasion is a shared celebration of our Philippine Independence Day, aimed at expressing our love for our country and fostering patriotism among our citizens,” Dr. Pedro said.
June 9 also marks “Filipino Chinese Friendship Day,” commemorating the 1975 establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China by President Ferdinand Marcos and Premier Zhou Enlai.
The FFCCCII, which encompasses 170 Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce and business associations nationwide, remains dedicated to championing Philippine economic development and participating in numerous philanthropic, socio-civic, and cultural projects.
