Tourism rebound, Cebu partnerships highlight China Consulate's mid-year accomplishments

Local

A SHARP increase in tourist exchanges between China and the Philippines was one of the major highlights of the Chinese Consulate's accomplishments during the first half of 2026, Chinese Consul General Zhang Zhen said during a mid-year media briefing in Cebu.

Zhang reported that Chinese tourist arrivals in the Philippines climbed by 63% from January to May compared to the same period last year, attributing the growth to the Philippines' visa-free policy for Chinese nationals and the resumption of direct flights by Chinese airlines.

Travel by Filipinos to China also continued to recover, with visitor numbers from January to March posting nearly 20% year-on-year growth.

The consul general said the figures demonstrate the steady revival of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Beyond tourism, Zhang highlighted continued economic cooperation, noting that China has remained the Philippines' largest trading partner for a decade.

Based on Philippine government data, bilateral trade in 2025 expanded by 12.9% from the previous year, while China continued to serve as the country's fourth-largest export market.

He said Philippine agricultural products have sustained strong export growth to China, while cooperation in renewable energy, power, telecommunications and agriculture continues to move forward.

At the local level, Zhang pointed to a series of exchanges between Cebu and China that have taken place this year.

Among them were Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's February visit to Fujian Province, Cebu's sister province, a training program for Cebu City firefighters in Sanming City, Fujian, and a study visit to Guangxi by Cebu youth leaders focused on artificial intelligence and robotics.

A delegation from Fujian Traditional Chinese Medical University is also scheduled to conduct a medical outreach mission at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center from July 23 to 25.

"I just mentioned these simple examples. These are very positive movements to strengthen sub-national exchanges and people-to-people ties, which will benefit people's well-being," Zhang said in a briefing on Monday, July 13.

She added that a welcoming public environment would play an important role in attracting more Chinese visitors and investors.

"A welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, confidence built on a friendly and stable environment will surely attract more Chinese visitors, investors and partners, unlocking huge untapped potential in various sectors," she emphasized.

The consul general also expressed concern over what she described as actions by "certain individuals" in Cebu City that could affect bilateral relations.

"China and the Philippines are close neighbors that cannot be moved apart. Our peoples have lived side by side peacefully for generations and generations," Zhang said.

She stressed that both countries should continue to pursue dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation despite differences.

"As long as both sides uphold mutual respect, choose dialogue over confrontation, properly manage differences, and place the well-being of our peoples at the center of our efforts, then China-Philippines' relationship can return onto the right track of sound and stable development," she said.

Addressing members of the media, Zhang encouraged journalists to help foster greater public understanding between the two countries.

"The media are not only observers of China-Philippines relations. You are also bridges of communication and builders of public understanding," she said.

The briefing also included an update on China's economy.

Zhang said China's gross domestic product grew by 5% in the first quarter of 2026, while profits in the electronics sector more than doubled on the back of strong demand for artificial intelligence, new energy and advanced manufacturing.

She added that China's imports and exports rose by 15.3% during the first five months of the year, with trade between China and ASEAN increasing by 16.6%.(MyTVCebu)