“Delighted to witness the Chinese Garden beautifully lit up again with festive red lanterns after 4 years, as 20th Philippines-China Traditional Cultural Festival kicked off at the Rizal Park, enabling my Filipino friends and visitors to relish the joyful moment for the Spring Festival Season,”
The China Ambassador to the Philippine Huang Xilian said this during the colorful opening of the Lantern Festival held at the famous Chinese Garden in Rizal Park, Luneta Manila which highlights the celebration of the 20th Philippine-China Traditional Cultural Festival.
The festivities was led by the China Ambassador to the Philippine Huang Xilian, Atty Bernie Ang the City administrator of Manila, representative from Manila Department of Tourism Culture and Arts Manila, Manila Chinatown Development Council, the Manila Chinatown Philippines, National Parks , , members of FFCCCII and other known Filipino Chinese businessmen
This is not only a moment to remind ourselves of the Chinese cultures, but also a chance to promote and showcase the Filipino one, the excellence of which makes this community proud and unique, Amb Xilian said.
In this manner, our traditional friendship and memories will be revived through the activities to follow, the Chinese envoy stressed .
Those include, among others, memories of our united and unyielding resistance to the colonizers and invaders, and the tremendous sacrifices our Chinese community has made together for liberation and independence when you take a look at the Exhibition in the Chinese Garden.
The good Ambassador also said, “We are also reminded that the chapter on building a shared Chinese-Filipino community in this country is a work we have written together.”
Hope that the Philippines-China Traditional Chinese Festival will help foster friendly bonds between the two peoples especially among the younger generation, inspiring the ideas for future and greater cooperation between us.
Days before the embassy announced, 2024 is a year of the Wood Dragon, which stands for strength, wisdom and good fortune, and also marks the 430th anniversary of this world’s oldest Chinatown. May all of you continue to yield success and prosperity together.
