Cebu, Guangxi forge partnership

CEBU, Philippines - The Province of Cebu and Guangxi province (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) in China are on its way to being sister provinces after their leaders yesterday expressed willingness to forge a sisterhood agreement.

Guangxi Governor Ma Biao was in Cebu for a meeting with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday. The bilateral meeting took place at the Capitol Social Hall during which the Guangxi governor said his region is willing to enter into a partnership with the provincial government. 

“Let’s work together to promote economic cooperation for Guangxi and Cebu. We’ll soon sign the sisterhood agreement very soon,” Ma told Garcia.

Ma even hatched the idea to open direct flights from Manila to Guangxi’s capital city Nanning “to boost our tourism industries.” He said Guangxi is “one of China’s tourism centers” and that by inviting more countries there would mean economic gains.

The China province, Ma said, is in the “forefront window” to other Asian countries, as it is accessible by air and by sea.

In 2008, Guangxi increased its Gross Domestic Product by 2.8 percent. This year, its GDP has reportedly increased by another 13.7 percent while its assets have increased by 52.1 percent.

Ma said they attribute these developments from “opening up economic zones” of the province. Guangxi also has three ports that boost the province’s trading with local and foreign investors.

Cebu was among those that showcased in products during the economic summit in Guangxi last October 10 and last night, Ma promised to send more people from his province to “visit and know Cebu.”

Garcia, for her part, said the province is “willing to sign a sisterhood agreement with Guangxi” and also assured to visit Guangxi for the second time soon.

 “I’m most eager to once again visit your province as soon as it can be scheduled,” Garcia said, adding that Cebu will be in the China Expo at Guangxi in January. Garcia was in Guangxi to attend its Expo with President Gloria Arroyo.

“Cebu, like Guangxi, is known as the tourism center in the country so in this area, we can work together for our mutual benefit,” Garcia said.

She said that Cebu has direct flights to China and may even open flights to Guangxi “to push the exchange of tourists” between the two provinces, but direct connections by sea is the challenge.

Garcia also invited Ma to take part of One Cebu Expo, which will be held in August next year. Ma accepted the invitation and assured participation.

Cebu has existent partnerships with Chinese provinces Guangdong, Sichuan and Hainan. — Liv G. Campo/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)