Xi'an, Philippines to pursue exchanges and cooperation

The China-Philippines International Economic, Trade and Culture Exchange Forum was held on Dec 10 in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, to accelerate exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economics and trade, culture, education, tourism and agriculture.

The forum is an integral part of the series of Philippine-themed activities being held on Dec 9-13, including the Philippine-themed event reception, ambassador campus trip and local economic and trade inspection, among other activities.

Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana said at the forum that this year is the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines.

He added that China-Philippines' economic and trade relations are at a healthy development stage and that the event provided a good platform for strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation and partnership.

Ana Abejuela, the agricultural counselor of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, said that agriculture is an important area of China-Philippines cooperation. There are many investment opportunities in agricultural production and processing.

At the forum, the Philippine Embassy in Beijing signed a cooperation agreement with Xi'an Railway Vocational & Technical College.

Xi'an municipal bureau of culture and tourism also introduced and promoted the city's rich cultural tourism resources.

In 2019, Shaanxi province and Batangas province of the Philippines became sister provinces. In the same year, Xi'an signed a letter of intent to develop sister city relations with Muntinlupa and Catbalogan cities in the Philippines.

During the epidemic this year, Xi'an donated medical supplies worth about 500,000 yuan ($76,411.71) to Iriga and Catbalogan in the Philippines.