The Ilocos Times

  In Celebration of the 73rd Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China By Sun Weidong, Acting Head of Post & Consul Consulate of the People's Republic of China in Laoag October 1 st , 2022 is China’s National Day, the 73 rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over the past 73 years, China has made great achievements in the development of various undertakings and China-Philippines cooperation has achieved fruitful results. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate in Laoag, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our warm greetings and good wishes to people from all walks of life, overseas Chinese, Chinese-funded enterprise personnel, Chinese students and Chinese communities in the consular district.   New achievements in China's development In 2022, with the complex and ever-changing international situation, the human society has faced challenges continuously and consistently. Even so, under the stro...

Pagudpud , Ilocos Norte—Officials of the Chinese Consulate in Ilocos Norte, headed by consul Zhou Youbin, visited the northern provincial border in this town and gave border personnel meals and face masks on October 1, 2020. In time for the Mooncake Festival, the time of the year the moon is at its fullest that symbolizes reunion, the consulate also offered mooncakes. Likewise, October 1 marked the 71 st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. "We are proud to support brave Ilokano frontline workers. I would like to extend our deepest respect to all police, soldiers, medical workers, firemen, and local officials. Thank you for your selfless service to protect the whole community,” Mr. Zhou said. "We value the longstanding friendship between Filipinos and Chinese. Together, we will finally win the battle against the virus. Wish everyone a Happy Mooncake Festival," he added. Since the onset of the pandemic, Ilocos Norte's Chinese consula...

  By Ma. Joreina Therese A. Blanco  (Contributor)  “We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” This is one of the quotes about life that Melody Allado from Paoay, Ilocos Norte held on to as the opportunity to study in the People's Republic of China came knocking at her door in the year 2016. She was a high school student back then, but a great destiny is already ahead of her. The Chinese Consulate in Laoag, an embassy of China located in Laoag City, set up an academic scholarship to support local students to study in China. Through the help of the local government, the embassy scouted for outstanding candidates who are fit to study in one of the largest countries. Through the help of her friends and her Mandarin teacher at Paoay National High School, Melody went beyond her comfort zones and willing to let go of a planned life for a life that is something bigger than her. “With the encouragement of my ...

  Chinese consul and head of post Zhou Youbin, and MMSU President Shirley Agrupis lead the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Chinese corner at the ground floor of the MMSU main library. Said corner features various book titles, a television set, DVD player, teaching materials, and photo exhibits to be used by university faculty and students. ( Lei Adriano)   By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter CITY of Batac —A Chinese corner, measuring around 7 by 13 meters is now open at the first floor of the main library building of the state-run Mariano Marcos State University in this city. The corner features various book titles, a television set, DVD player, teaching materials, and photo exhibits for use by university faculty and students. Leading the unveiling ceremony on Sept. 3, 2020 are Chinese consul and head of post Zhou Youbin and MMSU President Shirley Agrupis. In her speech, Dr. Agrupis said the reopening of the Chinese corner is anot...

  The Philippines and China are traditionally good neighbors with a long history of exchanges and friendship. Ilocanos and the people of North Luzon are friendly, and usually greet Chinese people with 'Ni Hao'. With the deepening of China-Philippine communication and cooperation, the enthusiasm of Filipinos to learn Chinese is increasing. However, there has been a shortage of native Chinese language teachers for years in the northern part. In order to cultivate a group of talents proficient in both languages and cultures of two countries, the Chinese Consulate in Laoag set up a scholarship to support local students to study in China since 2016. The consulate and local government jointly selected outstanding candidates. Melody Allado, a student from Paoay National High School, is one of the winners. In June 2020, Melody successfully graduated from Minnan Normal University in Fujian Province. Recalling the amazing experience in China, Melody said, "I am very gratefu...

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 1 st of this year marks the 71 st 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 Centra...

  In August, 2020, the Chinese Consulate in Laoag donated a total of 50,000 disposable masks, 5,000 KN95 masks, 400 sets of coveralls, and 100 pieces of goggles to help local communities in Ilocos Norte to resume their respective work. The Chinese consulate distributed the said medical equipment to Mariano Marcos State University, Paoay National High School, and St. Santiago School for their preparation for the new school year. They also distributed several sets of materials to the Laoag International Airport to help airport personnel prepare for the resumption of flights to the province. The Chinese consulate also gave Ilocos Norte border personnel PPEs to help them handle the increasing number of returning residents. Chinese consul & head of post Zhou Youbin said: “We especially hope to show our deepest respect to all frontliners.”

By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Laoag City —City Mayor Michael M. Keon thanked the Chinese government for donating 10 tons of rice, or 2,000 bags, on June 10 at the City Hall multi-purpose court. The rice was turn over personally by Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Laoag head of post and consul Zhou Youbin personally turned over the rice with Ilocos Norte Governor Mathew Joseph M. Manotoc also gracing the event. Of the 2,000 bags of rice, he city government will donate 40 bags to the Mariano Marcos Memorial and Medical Center in Batac for the nurses and frontline workers while the rest will be distributed to jeepney and tricycle drivers in the city. The Ilocos Times learned that the Chinese rice donation is the first relief operations of the Chinese government to the city during this pandemic. The distribution coincided with the 45 th anniversary of the China-Philippine diplomatic ties. Mr. Keon hopes that both governments will continue to have a “...

By Leilanie G. Adriano ( Staff Reporter) LAOAG CITY—Boxes of medical supplies meant to protect health frontline workers in the province arrived on April 6, 2020 at the Ilocos Norte Capitol courtesy of the Chinese government. In his public statement, Zhou Youbin, head of post and Consul of the Consulate of the Peoples Republic of China in Laoag City said, “China will always remember the support from Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and Filipino friends during China’s fight against Covid-19.” The Chinese Consul is referring to a video shot of the Ilocos Norte governor last month encouraging the people of Shandong which they claimed as “very impactful.” As the province is dealing with similar health crisis, its sister province of Shandong donated a total of 25,000 pieces of medical surgical masks, 2,000 pieces of KN95 medical masks, 2,000 pieces of googles and 2,000 sets of medical protective suits just in time when local health front-liners need it most. “I wish all patients infec...