The deep-rooted friendship between the Filipinos and the Chinese was recognized and reinforced on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China-Philippines diplomatic ties and the 24rd China-Philippines Friendship Day.

On June 9, the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Cebu held a reception to commemorate this special occasion, with presence of about 230 esteemed guests from local governments and various sectors.  

Consul General Zhang Zhen shared her reflection on past history. She emphasized China and the Philippines are neighbors that cannot be moved away and Good neighborliness and friendship serve the fundamental interests of both peoples. Deliberate provocation and the stoking of hatred serve neither a nation's true interests nor the well-being of its people, she said. She expressed the hope that people of vision from all walks of life come together to draw wisdom from shared history, choose the right path, and bring the bilateral relations back to a course of healthy, sound, and steady growth.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and representatives of the Filipino-Chinese community and the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU) Cebu delivered speeches to recall the history and commitment to friendship and stronger bilateral relationship during the event.

Teachers and students gave performances as part of the program, featuring music and dances from China and the Philippines. The commemoration also showcased a photo exhibition entitled "China-Philippines Friendship Through the Lens of History".