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Consulate of the People's Republic of China in Laoag Consula and Head of Post Zhou Youbin and MMSU President Shirley Agrupis opens the China corner at the Batac university. (FIle photo)
By Zhou Youbin
Consul and Head of Post, Consulate of the People's Republic of
China in Laoag
2020 is destined
to be a special chapter in history. Due to the impact of the
pandemic, people's daily life has been disrupted. The world is facing
tremendous changes.
October 1st of this year marks the 71st anniversary
of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and it also happens to be
the Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncake Festival) in the traditional Chinese lunar
calendar. Though we could not celebrate the festivals together in person like
usual, I have still received greetings from many Filipino and Chinese friends.
The warmth of the festivals are shared among friends.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, under the strong
leadership of the CPC Central Committee with President Xi
Jinping at its core, the Chinese government has carried out scientific,
rigorous, and strict measures for virus prevention and control. In
collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international
community, China has effectively contained the spread of the pandemic. Today,
people's lives have basically returned to normal. China's growth returned to
the positive territory in the second quarter of this year. China will open its
door even wider. Its mega-sized domestic market and release of the potential in
domestic demand will open up greater space for other countries' cooperation
with China and provide a stronger underpinning for regional and global growth.
During the battle against the virus, the Chinese people have
received sincere help and support from other countries, and in return, China
has also helped in its capacity to the international community. According to
statistics, China had sent 34 medical teams to 32 countries and provided
anti-pandemic assistance to 150 countries and four international organizations.
There are 56 Chinese foreign aid medical teams assisting local community
through providing technical advice and health education and training. Machines
of all factories have been launched at full capacity to produce medical supplies
and equipment for the world. Since last March, there have been 15.15 billion
masks, 1.4 billion protective suits and other medical materials exported. This
is by far the largest global humanitarian emergency operation in the history of
China, which is also a vivid manifestation of building a global community of
health for all.
It is in times like these that friendships truly matter. China
and the Philippines have always fought side by side against the pandemic during
last few months. The long-running friendship has been deepened in our joint
fight, which will be a milestone in the history of exchanges between the two
countries.
During the most difficult times of China against the pandemic,
President Duterte, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ilocos Norte Governor
Matthew Marcos Manotoc, Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson, and many other
government officials expressed their concern and encouragement as "we
stand with China”. In addition to that, other sectors, including the
Filipino-Chinese Community, made monetary donations and donated other necessary
materials to China. And what impressed me the most is the song video, "Let
the World be full of love", recorded by teachers and students from Paoay
National High School in Ilocos Norte last February. Truly, love is the support
for all of us going through these tough times.
Similarly, when the situation in the Philippines became critical,
the Chinese government, enterprises and non-governmental organizations have
provided batches of medical supplies and sent medical experts to help the
Philippines overcome the challenge.
Friendship counts most during these difficult times. In North
Luzon,Ilocos Norte received 4 tons of medical supplies from Shandong Province
and the Chinese Consulate in Laoag. Ilocos Sur received masks from enterprises
of Hubei province and rice from the Consulate. Pangasinan received masks from
Sichuan Province and rice from the Consulate. La Union, Cagayan, Isabela,
Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Baguio City, Santiago City also received food
relief from the Consulate. Additionally, Baguio City cooperated with Huawei
Company to improve technical support in diagnosis and treatment, which helped
Baguio become a national model in pandemic
In recent years, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and
President Duterte, the relations between the two countries have witnessed a
turnaround, consolidation and entered a new “Golden Age". This year marks
the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and
the Philippines. The two state leaders have exchanged phone calls and
maintained close communication through various channels. China's “Belt and
Road” initiative is closely aligned with the Philippines' “Build, Build, Build”
program, and various practical cooperation projects have been carried out and
recovered in an orderly manner. These projects will not only help to promote
local economic recovery, but can also improve the people's livelihood and
provide employment for the people.
China has always regarded Filipinos as its good friends, good
partners, and good neighbors. Any conspiracy theories or attempt to provoke
China-Philippine relations, or smear China will be doomed to fail.
No matter how long the night, dawn will always break. We are very
pleased to hear about breakthroughs in vaccine research around the world. And
we are glad to see the consensus reached by the leaders of China and the
Philippines on China's willingness to give priority to the Philippines on
vaccine, and the upcoming launch of phase III clinical trials of Chinese
vaccines in the Philippines. We are fully confident that the Philippines will
overcome the pandemic and resume normal economic and social life in the near
future.
With the great changes in the world, uncertainties are on the
rise. Although challenges exist, the future is still full of hope. For the
double celebration of the National Day and Mid-Autumn festival, we sincerely
wish China all the best, and people will enjoy peace and prosperity.
May China and the Philippines continue to work with solidarity
and love. Wish everyone a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
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