On 9 July 2018, H.E. Mr. Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended the Opening Ceremony of the “Flavours of the Philippines” Food Festival co-hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines and the Hilton Hotel (Beijing). H.E. Mr. Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana, Philippine Ambassador to China, H.E. Mr. Stanley Loh, Singaporean Ambassador to China, H.E. Mr. U Thit Linn Ohn, Myanmar Ambassador to China, Mr. Wu Jianghao, Director-General of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Ms. Lin Yi, Vice President of China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Hans Fiederich, Director-General of International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, Mr. Stefan Schmid, General Manager of Hilton Hotel (Beijing) and participants from various circles with a total of more than 150 people attended the event.

Philippine Ambassador Romana stated in his opening remarks that food is one of the core elements of Philippine culture. The Philippines’ long coastline, rich soils, abundant resources and distinct tropical weather have allowed the Philippine people to create dishes with rich and various flavors. Filipino cuisine with strong regional feature is fusion of indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques, mixed with Spanish, Malay, Chinese and American influences. He believed that the Filipino food will be well received by friends from China and other countries in Beijing and he welcomed all friends to visit the Food Festival.

Two Filipino Chefs treated the guests with delicious and substantial food features classic Filipino viands. Each dish cooked in unique style with finest ingredients, good colour and taste. At the Opening of the Food Festival, Secretary-General Chen exchanged views with the ASEAN Ambassadors and the guests of various fields on promoting food culture of ASEAN countries and China and strengthening ASEAN-China people-to-people exchanges.

The food festival lasts until 15 July and will showcase and offer flavour cuisine from different regions of the Philippines.