FOR the fourth time since its inception on January 16, 2021, the Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) has honored Filipinos who have fostered mutual understanding and cooperation between the Philippines and China over the years.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian led the ceremony this Friday at the Manila Hotel, joined by other government officials and private sector leaders.
The Hall of Fame awardees are Larry Tan Villareal, the Founding President of the Philippines Soong Ching Ling Foundation, and Prof. Gabriel Ma. Lopez, a distinguished educator and pioneering member of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding.
“We wish to thank APPCU and the Chinese Embassy for honoring the six of us.”
“We’re regular citizens who truly value friendship and mutually beneficial relations between our Filipinos and our Chinese compatriots and who only consider working for peace, for harmony, and for development,” said Prof. Gabriel Ma. Lopez, Member, Association for Philippines-China Understanding.
In the Outstanding Contribution category, the awardees are Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba and Benito Techico, the Special Envoy of the President to China for Trade, Investments, and Tourism.
“I would like to thank APPCU for doing this. Alam niyo naman, we have always been looking north for our problems, for the future of our problems, reconnecting with our neighbors and reconnecting with the Asian countries. That is why it is always been our thrust to build friendship among our neighbors in Asia and even in the world,” stated Governor Manuel Mamba, Cagayan.
Awardees in the Major Contributions category include Ching Tam Cua, a pioneering member of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding, and Dr. Lily Tan Lim, who is actively involved in the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc.’s Operation Barrio Schools.
Ambassador Huang expressed his hopes that more individuals will work to promote and strengthen the long-standing friendship between the Philippines and China.
“At present, China-Philippines relations are once again at a crossroads. We hope to have more and more people from different sectors of society join the great cause of promoting mutual understanding and amity between China and the Philippines and contribute to safeguarding the millennial friendship of our two countries,” according to H.E. Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines.
PH-China relationship endures despite challenges
Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz stated that the partnership between the two countries remains robust despite current challenges.
“The partnership between the Philippines and China remains steadfast and strong in spite of the headwinds that we encounter. That’s because we have robust people-to-people exchanges as well as economic and trade ties,” ayon kay Jaime FlorCruz, Ambassador of the Philippines to China.
This year, 2024, marks the fourth occasion on which APPCU has recognized individuals for their significant contributions to promoting friendship between China and the Philippines.
Last year, former President Rodrigo Duterte was among the Hall of Fame awardees recognized by APPCU.
