ILOILO CITY -- Iloilo City and the Quanzhou City in the Fujian province of the People’s Republic of China are eyeing a closer tie following the signing of the letter of intent to establish a friendly relationship, Monday.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III, in welcoming the delegation and sign on behalf of the city, emphasized that the relationship of the two cities is “founded not only on economics but also family and bloodline”.
He noted that based on history, most of the Ilonggo-Chinese in Iloilo trace their roots in Fujian province.
“Today the signing of our intention for friendly cities is not only to rekindle our bloodlines but also our economic ties,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wang Ruiqiang, who led the delegation from Quanzhou and signed on behalf of his city, cited trade, cultural exchanges, education and closer relation of port authorities as areas where the two cities could work together in the future.
“There is huge possibilities and inexhaustible potentials for our cities to work together,” he said through a translator.
He cited that their city is active in the Belt and Road initiative, particularly in the 21st century Maritime Silk Road project.
He said Iloilo is one of the major cities of the Philippines, which is among the major countries that lie along the 21st Maritime Silk Road.
“The city is endowed with fine environment with its inherent geographic advantages,” he added.
In terms of trade, he said they hope to mutually promote economic development and even invited entrepreneurs and business groups to join their annual Maritime Silk Road expo, which is a gathering of famous international brands, every April 18.
“Our city organizes international art festival once every two years. We will invite countries along the Maritime Silk Road to send delegations. We sincerely welcome cultural and art societies in Iloilo to join in the art festival,” he said about the cultural exchanges.
He also hoped to “promote the establishment of friendly relationship between the schools in Quanzhou and Iloilo”.
“Under this arrangement, we may organize teachers and students to conduct friendly visits and exchanges,” he said.
He said he looks forward to port authorities of both cities to “establish mechanism to ensure closer and friendly exchanges” as he mentioned that Quanzhou and Iloilo are both port cities.
“We hope both cities would establish deeper and closer friendly exchanges and cooperation, promote interaction between the peoples of two cities to produce tangible results. Quanzhou is a beautiful and livable city bounded at one side with rolling hills and on the other side the deep blue seas. It is endowed with fine climate suitable for living, for short term vacation and tour,” he said.
The letter of intent, meanwhile, states that both parties, in signing the document, agree to “promote friendly contacts between the two cities and develop exchanges and cooperation on fields: economic and trade, science and technology, culture, education, public health an arts among others”.
They will also establish a sister city relationship in the future.
The signing of the letter of intent was witnessed by Fang Jiangsheng of Quanzhou and Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon of Iloilo City. (PNA)
