The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), presently headed by Chinese Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen, celebrated the 74th Founding Anniversary of the PRC on the memorable day of September 21, 2023, at the Grand Ballroom of Dusit Davao. The well-attended celebration which started late had the Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte honoring the event with a well-prepared speech.
The founding of the PRC was formally proclaimed by the late Chairman of the Communist Party Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949. This year, the PRC also celebrates the first year of the new Central Government as well as the 45th Anniversary of China’s reform and opening to the world with the implementation of its open door policy which realized steady development and a “moderately prosperous society.” With its rapid economic growth, the world has seen China’s remarkable accomplishments in such areas as infrastructure, technological innovation, aerospace technology, ecological development and sports. China has also intensified its military to project power under the leadership of President Xi Jinping to commemorate the 96th Anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army this year. President Xi wants a speedy modernization of the military “to accelerate forming combat capabilities and integrate into the combat system new equipment and new forces.” And to think that Philippine-China relations at the present have been dominated by territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea. Now, where do we stand against the formidable Mother China?
The new Consul General in Davao, the 57-year-old madam Zhan Xiuzhen, was born in the sprawling former forbidden capital city of Beijing. She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in 1988. She has worked in the Chinese Embassy and the Consulate General in Poland; and the office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. From 2016 to 2020, madam Zhan Xiuzen served as the Chinese Consul General in Gdansk, Poland.
“It is our hope that countries around the world will bear in mind the future of humanity, abandon Cold War mentality or zero-sum mentality, and work together to meet common challenges. Countries are expected to make joint efforts to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world with lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity, so as to deliver benefits to all of us and our future generations,” Consul General Zhan Xiuzhen said with conviction. Naturally, she also enumerated the joint efforts between China and the Philippines to establish “a comprehensive and strategic cooperative relationship. “As the Chinese proverb goes, ‘Good neighbors are more precious than gold.’ Let us cherish the hard-won friendly situation, build upon the Asian tradition of peace, credibility and good neighborliness, and further consolidate the bilateral relations for an even brighter future,” declared the Consul General to end her speech adding, “I wish my motherland prosperity. I wish the friendship between China and the Philippines will last forever.”
In response, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte expressed, “This celebration marks a significant milestone for China as it stands as a shining example of what a nation can achieve when its citizens are united in their pursuit of progress, prosperity, and well-being…Our local Chinatown community has always been very active and has helped shape Davao City to become what it is today. And since the establishment of the PRC Consulate in 2018, Philippine-Chinese relationship has only grown stronger. Davaoenos have been blessed with opportunities and assistance in such fields as education, trade, social aid and infrastructure development, among others. Through years of fruitful collaborations, we have witnessed the growth of a partnership that transcends borders. And so on behalf of the City Government and the people of Davao City, thank you….May the friendship between our nations continue to flourish; and may the years ahead bring prosperity, peace and joy to all.”
I can only hope that the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea doesn’t escalate into something both countries will find extremely disagreeable. Thank you, Consul Hong Ming and Princess Kan Chua for the kindness.
