Your honorable Maria Andrelita Austria, Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs,

尊敬的菲华各界联合会主席赵启平先生，

尊敬的广西国际传播中心副主任刘日刚先生，

尊敬的各位侨领，

Dear Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening, everyone! Magandang gabi!

What a wonderful gathering we have here tonight！

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this special event — "Neighbors across mountains and seas" — celebrating the 51st Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the Philippines, the China-Philippines Friendship Day.

On behalf of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Philippines, I extend my warmest greetings to all distinguished guests and friends present this evening. I also wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the organizers — Guangxi International Communication Center, Guangxi Arts University, Guangxi Song and Dance Theater, and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines — for their dedication and hard work in making tonight possible. So, let's give them a well-deserved round of applause!

For centuries, the Maritime Silk Road has woven our two peoples together—carrying not only goods and spices across the seas, but also culture, art, ideas, and enduring bonds of friendship. China and the Philippines are neighbors that can never be relocated. Geography made that decision for us, and I believe it made a very wise choice. Good-neighborliness and friendship have long been the defining theme of our bilateral relationship. A stable, healthy, and forward-looking China–Philippines relationship serves the fundamental interests of both our countries and our peoples.

As the saying goes, “The friendship between nations lies in the closeness between their peoples.” People-to-people and cultural exchanges are the bridges that connect hearts and minds. Through cooperation in culture, tourism, education, and other fields, our peoples meet face to face, deepen mutual understanding, dispel misunderstandings, and build goodwill—one conversation, one smile, and one shared experience at a time.

The numbers speak for themselves. Benefiting from visa-free policy and the resumption of direct flights, 187,000 Chinese tourists visited the Philippines from January to May this year, representing an impressive 63% increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, 123,400 Filipino tourists traveled to China from January to March, up nearly 20% compared with the same period last year.

When people start moving, planes start flying, and tourism starts flourishing, more encounters take place, more friendships are formed, and greater understanding is built. And naturally, the atmosphere between our two countries grows warmer. One might even say that some of the best diplomacy unfolds not across negotiating tables, but to the rhythm of a tinikling dance or the melody of a song. When we share a stage, we often discover that we share a heartbeat as well.

Today, China–Philippines relations are showing signs of stabilization and improvement. We should remain confident, stay committed to doing the right things, and continue telling more stories of exchanges, friendship, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Together, let us inject greater positive energy and constructive momentum into the steady development of our bilateral relationship.

On June 7, 2024, the 78th UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a China-proposed resolution, designating June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. The resolution aims to harness the power of civilizational dialogue in eliminating discrimination and prejudice, fostering mutual understanding and trust, and strengthening solidarity and cooperation. Today's event embodies this spirit, bringing us together to witness cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and the Philippines, and to advance practical cooperation between the two countries in people-to-people, trade, and other fields.

The beautiful region of Guangxi, which is showcased this evening, is China’s important gateway for opening up and cooperation with ASEAN. Blessed with breathtaking landscapes, rich ethnic traditions, and a spirit of openness and hospitality, Guangxi shares a cultural warmth and vibrancy that many Filipino friends may find surprisingly familiar. I have a feeling that you will feel right at home tonight.

Through music, dance, and visual arts, this evening’s performances will offer our Filipino friends a vivid and authentic glimpse into the vitality, diversity, and charm of China in the new era. And as we appreciate each other’s beauty and creativity, may we also deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the friendship between our two great peoples.

Finally, I wish this evening every success. May you leave tonight with a fuller heart, a broader smile, and perhaps a new found curiosity about Guangxi and China. I know that every time I experience Guangxi’s culture, I certainly do.

Thank you, and enjoy the show.  Salamat po. 谢谢大家！