Romulo heads RP-China celebration preps

Secretary Alberto Romulo of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will lead preparations for the 30th anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China on June 8.

In an administrative order signed last Jan. 24, President Arroyo gave Romulo the task of coordinating preparations for the event between the government and private sector.

She also directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P5 million as "seed money" for the celebration and authorized Romulo to enlist the help of former President Fidel V. Ramos.

The occasion, which will coincide with a state visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao, is an opportunity for the country to enhance its bilateral relations with China, Mrs. Arroyo noted in AO 114.

"China is an important bilateral partner of the Philippines and its ascendancy as an economic and regional partner signifies the development of meaningful relations with China as a strategic agenda of Philippine foreign policy," she said.

During her state visit to China last year, Mrs. Arroyo and Hu agreed to hold the joint observance of the historic occasion in Manila.

Long before formal diplomatic ties were established with China 30 years ago, the people and culture of China have exerted a strong influence in the Philippines. There are large Chinese-Filipino communities in the country’s urban centers, and many more Filipinos trace their ancestry back to China through centuries of intermarriage.

Elements of Chinese culture, such as feng shui and the celebration of the lunar new year, have long become part of the popular consciousness, with Malacañang even declaring tomorrow, the first day of the Chinese new year, a "special non-working holiday."