Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan visited esteemed Filipino-Chinese business leaders Lucio Tan, Carlos Chan and Chen Zuchang to extend holiday greetings and commend their longstanding contributions to promoting friendship between the Philippines and China.
Tan is the chairman of the LT Group Inc., overseeing a vast conglomerate that includes Philippine Airlines, Philippine National Bank, Asia Brewery, Tanduay Distillers and Fortune Tobacco Corp.
As a former immigrant from China who started as a janitor, Tan quickly ascended in the tobacco industry, establishing his own companies and creating jobs that significantly impact the Philippine economy.
His business ties with China bolster trade relations between the two countries, enhancing economic exchanges and cooperation.
Chan is the owner of Oishi, the global snack empire he founded in 1974.
Taking a bold step into the Chinese market in 1993, he teamed up with state-owned companies and invested $3.5 million in his first Shanghai factory.
Today, the Liwayway Group operates 15 factories across China and additional facilities in several countries.
Chan’s role as Special Envoy to China under multiple administrations highlights his dedication to fostering economic ties and cultural understanding, making Oishi a household name in the region.
Zuchang began his journey in 1935 in Fujian, China. In 1997, he founded the Dowell Container and Packaging Corp. and became an incorporator of CTBC Bank in 1995.
Today, he serves as chairman of the Philippine Dowell Group of Companies.
Chen is also a dedicated philanthropist. In 2004, he founded the Philippine Soong Ching Ling Foundation to give back to society and enhance bilateral relations.
It engages in poverty alleviation initiatives, childcare programs, and the construction of schools and houses. Tan has built 86 rural schools across the Philippines over the past 30 years.
As a goodwill ambassador for China-Philippine Charity, Chen facilitates numerous cooperative projects and cultural exchanges, significantly deepening ties between the two nations.
His efforts have established over 100 economic and trade cooperation projects.
