2018 Beijing One Belt and One Road Cultural Tour Commenced in Quezon

On 1 February 2018, the Beijing One Belt and One Road Cultural Tour (BOBORCT) jointly organized by China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU), and co-organized by Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC), Xicheng District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality and ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), were successfully commenced in Ateneo de Manila University (AMU), Quezon City of the Philippines. Attended the event were Mr. Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Sun Xueqing, Director-General of Asian-African Affairs Department of CPAFFC, Mr. Li Meng, Vice President of BPAFFC, Mr. Li Yi, Deputy District Mayor of Xicheng District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, Ms. Yu Zhou, Deputy Secretary-General of BPAFFC, Mr. Gabriel Lopez, Board Member and President of APCU, Mr. Fernando Aldaba, Member of Board of AMU, Ms. Jane T. Yugioksing, Dean of School of Social Sciences and Director of Chinese Studies Program of AMU, and Ms. Zhang Liwei, officer of ACC, and student and faculty representatives from AMU and reporters, totaling around 300 people.

Ms. Lin Yi, Mr. Li Yi and Mr. Fernando Aldaba stated in their launching speeches that the Philippines and China are good neighbours facing each other across the sea and the two peoples enjoy brotherhood. They hoped that the cultural event could bring the Philippine people better understand the traditional Chinese culture, and promote the friendly exchanges between the two countries and the peoples of Beijing and Quezon city. They expected under the Belt and Road initiative, the two sides could carry out in-depth exchanges and cooperation in wider ranges. The BOBORCT cultural activities are composed of Chinese intangible cultural heritage performances, intangible cultural heritage skill presentations and interactions, and photo exhibition of Beijing. The intangible cultural heritage artists’ excellent performances were highly valued and warmly welcomed by the Philippine guests and faculty and students of AMU. The students actively experienced the heritage handicraft producing skill, and had in-depth exchanges with the artists and learned about the crafting process in a warm atmosphere.

The ACC representative interacted with the leaders and participants of APCU and AMU to brief on the programmes of ACC. She stated the willingness to strengthen communication with the Philippine partners and jointly promote the Philippines-China and ASEAN-China friendly cooperation.