First of all, my warmest greetings to the People’s Republic of China (PROC) on the occasion of its 74th anniversary of its founding this coming October 1, 2023.
I and the city’s official delegation also thank the Chinese Embassy for the invitation to the grand reception held in a hotel on Wednesday night, where countless guests from various sectors were in attendance.
The momentous event began with the playing of the national anthem both of the Philippines and the PROC, followed by a taped greeting of Vice President Sara Duterte made in two versions — English and Chinese. The guests, specially the Chinese, were delighted to see her speak in flawless Chinese.
The occasion commemorates the historic event on October 1, 1949 when Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong declared the creation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Tian’anmen Gate Tower in Beijing at 3 p.m. Since then, every year, the date is observed with a series of ceremonial events in celebration of the National Day of the PROC.
For the past 74 years , the PROC under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, was steadily stirred to greatness as it now joins the ranks of leading countries like Japan, the United States, Canada and France, among others, in terms of economic status.
As it continues to progress in various aspects specially in technologies, it is clear that the PROC is headed to an unstoppable rise to even greater heights. Indeed, it is now a force to reckon with.
The PROC’s founding anniversary will also be a grand affair in Manila, host to the biggest Chinatown in the world, as an expression of the high respect and admiration for Chinese influence and contribution as well as the establishment of strong diplomatic ties between China and Manila.
The successive exchange of visits between Manila and its sister-cities in China have further reinforced our mutually-beneficial relations and trust on each other.
We are ever proud, open and thankful for the close cooperation we have with various cities in China as well as the trade and cooperation we have in the fields as tourism, economy, culture and sister-cityhood.
The city of Manila is also particularly thankful to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian for being consistently supportive to the endeavors of our administration and always lending his presence whenever sought.
We are also thankful for the help extended by the China government to the local government unit of Manila during the height of the pandemic, in terms of donations and the exclusive privilege of having been able to procure at cost, hundreds of thousands of anti-COVID vaccines at a time when such were scarce. This really sealed our profound friendship.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Here’s to years of even deeper friendship and fruitful partnership between our peoples. Happy founding anniversary to the PROC!!!
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