By Daisy CL Mandap
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| CE John Lee and ConGen Raly Tejada at the National Day reception |
Chief Executive John Lee made special mention of Filipino domestic workers’ contribution to Hong Kong society in his speech at a reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate Friday night, to celebrate the 125th year of Philippine Independence.
“As the two places continue to strengthen our
collaboration, I wish to express my gratitude to the Filipino community in Hong
Kong, particularly the hundreds of thousands of Filipino domestic helpers here,
for their great contribution to our society. Thank you sincerely,” said CE Lee,
before pausing to a resounding applause.
“We are thankful for their significant economic and
social contributions over the years to the many families around Hong Kong,
particularly in enabling many local women in families with children or the
elderly to join our labour force,” he added.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE! |
“You have helped to build our city into the thriving
metropolis that it is today, and we are proud to have you in our vibrant
community.”
CE Lee was the guest speaker at the gathering held
at Aberdeen Marina where a large group of members of the Philippine House of
Representatives led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, made a surprise appearance.
Consul General Raly Tejada hosted the event, the first to be held since 2019, when the diplomatic reception was almost thrown into chaos because anti-government protesters had overtaken a mall attached to the venue.
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| PAPAANO SUMALI? PINDUTIN ITO! |
The three years of the Covid-19 pandemic halted the annual gathering.
At the resumption of the commemoration, officials from both sides hailed the “friendship”
between China and the Philippines in their speeches.
CE Lee said this relationship was reaffirmed during
a state visit to China by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in January
this year, during which he had bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping.
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| EXTENDED TO JUNE 30!! |
Following their meeting, the two sides issued a
joint statement to further increase bilateral trade and co-operate in the key
priority areas of agriculture, infrastructure, energy and people-to-people
exchanges.
Lee said that in 2022, the trade between the two
places amounted to US16.5 million, making the Philippines the 11th
largest trading partner of Hong Kong in the entire world.
In the past five years, including the three
devastating years of the pandemic, the average growth of trade between the two
territories was 4.6 per cent.
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| Officials from both sides enjoy a photo op for the cutting of an Independence Day cake |
Congen Tejada for his part said it was an officious occasion as 48 years to the day, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai signed a communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China.
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| BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS NOW! PRESS FOR DETAILS |
“The Philippines values its long and historic
relations with China,” said Tejada.
Rep. Romualdez who offered a toast to the continuing
friendship between Hong Kong and the Philippines, thanked CE Lee for “securing,
nurturing and protecting” Filipinos who have made the city their new home.
“We are most appreciative of this, which will not be
lost in our relationship as we move forward,” he said.
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| BASAHIN DITO |
But he then lay bare what appeared to be the agenda
of the lawmakers in visiting Hong Kong, which was to invite local investors to
put money into the Philippines’ Maharlika sovereign fund, which has just been
approved by both houses of Congress.
“May I personally invite Hong Kong businessmen to
consider investing in our Maharlika Investment Corporation that will manage our
sovereign fund which we hope to set up within the year once our president signs
it into law?” he said.
Ironically, his toast called for independence,
heroism and financial prosperity as Hong Kong is just starting to get back on
track following the pandemic and the massive anti-government protests that
preceded it.
“Let us all be heroes,” Romualdez said. “Let’s toast
to a promise of independence, to its realization, and to everyday heroism.”
Also among the key guests was Deputy Commissioner
Pan Yundong of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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| PADALA NA! |
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