Cebu and Shanghai leaders reach bilateral cooperation

SHANGHAI, China — Leaders of Cebu led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and officials of this Chinese city on Thursday reached an agreement on areas of bilateral cooperation and peaceful co-existence.

 Zuo Taitong, former vice mayor of Shanghai and incumbent vice chairman of Chinese People’s Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee (CPCCSC), said that for many years, China  has been enjoying a “peaceful co-existence” with the Philippines.

 The Philippines, according to Zuo, has “invested a lot in Shanghai,” and such move enhances the mutual cooperation between Cebu and Shanghai.

 Zuo’s CPCCSC is China’s fourth most powerful governmental organization.

 Shanghai is China’s largest city with an area of 6,350.5 square kilometers, and with a population of more than 20 million.

 Zuo considers Shanghai’s “large” population and “the pressure in the environment” as the main problems of the city.

 But over the years, Shanghai achieved tremendous development and is now striding toward an international economic, financial, trade and shipping center.

 Zuo said it also helps that “efforts” and assistance from “other countries” made Shanghai what it is now today. He cited the Philippines as among these countries that “invested a lot” in Shanghai, contributing to its economic growth.

 In 2008, Shanghai’s gross domestic product hit a record high of 1,369.815 billion yuan (Chinese currency), increasing 9.7 percent from 2007 at comparable prices.

 Over the years, the city attracted millions of people from all over the world with its 468-meter high Oriental Pearl Tower, considered the highest TV tower in Asia and the third in the world.

 Garcia’s team, which consisted of five members of the Provincial Board and leaders in local business sector, was able to visit the Oriental Pearl Tower that day.

 In her meeting with Zuo, Garcia said she admired not only the imposing commercial buildings at the heart of Shanghai, but how the city values its heritage.

 Inside the tower is Shanghai’s history museum which showcases the traces of old Shanghai.

 Garcia said the city has “intense pride” of its past that it even shows it off to the people from different parts of the world.

 “We go home bringing fun memories of China and better friendship with Shanghai and Cebu,” said Garcia.

 Zuo said he looks forward to meeting with the Cebu delegates again, saying that they should return next year as Shanghai will play host to the World Expo 2010, in which 229 countries and international organizations will participate. — Liv G. Campo/LPM   (FREEMAN NEWS)