PILLAR III: PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES
The two countries have witnessed booming exchanges. China now stands as the second-largest tourist origin to the Philippines. In 2017, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines doubled the 2016 figure, topping one million already. Each week, there are around 300 flights shuttling between the Chinese and Philippine cities. We’ve also seen thriving interaction, exchanges and cooperation between China and the Philippines in terms of sisterhood provinces and cities, media agencies, think-tanks, universities, youth affairs, education, science and technology, culture and arts. The hearts and minds of our two peoples are interlinked more closely than ever before and our centuries-old friendship beams with greater dynamism.
Ever since the ancient times, China and the Philippines have been profoundly defined by a history of friendship and cooperation, thanks to our geographic proximity, kinship amity and cultural affinity. China and the whole world stand at a fresh historic juncture to materialize the “Belt and Road” Initiative in a spirit of joint consultation, building and sharing, and the Philippines is destined to be one of the most important participants, contributors and beneficiaries. China and the Philippines will surely become good neighbors helping each other, good friends supporting each other, and good partners benefiting each other. This not only serves both present and long-term interests of our two countries and peoples, but conforms to our common aspiration to safeguard peace, stability and prosperity in the region.