BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/06 Jan.) – Filipino Chinese businessmen here expressed hopes of renewing historical as well as trade relations with China during the visit of the Chinese consul general Sunday afternoon.
Consul General of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Weiguo together with Madame Chen Lianning and Consular Attaché Zhang Ran arrived in Butuan City Sunday afternoon for a three-day visit to meet with Filipino Chinese businessmen and organizations.
“I am very happy with this visit. The people of this city together with the local Chinese community and the government unit have been very kind and warm in welcoming our arrival. With this visit we hope that this will be a way of strengthening our friendship and ties,” said Weiguo.
The Chinese official declined to comment on the business opportunity his visit would create, saying he will still sit down with local business leaders.
Anicleto Bonpin Jr., president of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Agusan, Inc. (FCCCI) expressed optimism the visit of the Chinese diplomat will contribute to the city’s business growth.
He said the visit has offered a chance to present Butuan as “a new business project” and renew pre-Hispanic trade ties between the city and China.
He added the FCCCI wants to establish a sisterhood status with a city in China for a mutually beneficial business relationship.
“The business investment that would come in would hopefully in turn create more jobs and even create other windows of business opportunity such as in tourism,” Bonin explained.
City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said he was looking forward to building friendly relations with China.
“This city established trade and commerce with China through the Balangay boats. We hope to renew that business relationship that was established thousands of years ago. In the duration of his visit, I will present the city business opportunity and discuss options for trade growth,” said Amante. (Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)