The 11th Annual Philippine-China Traditional Cultural Festival was held in the Chinese garden of Rizal Park in Manila, capital of the Philippines on Feb. 19, attracting nearly one thousand overseas Chinese and Filipino visitors.
The simple and elegant Chinese garden was dressed up with red lanterns. The Chinese garden-style pavilions and corridors were used for an exhibition named "China kaleidoscope-Aspects of modern life". The beat of gongs and drums, amid the lion dances added to the excitement of the festivities.
"The past decade of cooperation offers us a platform to promote Chinese culture and contributes much to strengthen the friendship between the two peoples," said Shi Wanzhen, president of the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, one of the organizers of the cultural festival.
In his speech at the festival’s opening ceremony, Shi emphasized the long history of Sino-Philippine ties, since Chinese settlers made their way to the islands over 400 years ago. China and the Philippines have named the year 2012-2013 the Sino-Philippine Friendship Exchange Year, endowing this year's cultural festival greater significance.
As night fell, nearly one thousand people sat before the outdoor stage in the Rizal Park and enjoyed Chinese folk dance performed by the dance company of Chiang-Kai Shek College. Cui Linshan, a Chinese contemporary master of martial arts, also performed his special "chain whip" technique to thunderous applause.
Alfredo Lin, Mayor of Manila, Pan Feng, Cultural Counselor of Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, Cai Congmiao, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Gao Mingsen, Chairman of Philippine-Chinese Youth Society, Zhuang Qianjin, President of Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Lu Zuyin, Chairman of All-Chinese and Filipino’s Federation also attended the opening ceremony of the festival, which was jointly organized by the Manila municipal government, Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Philippine-Chinese Youth Society.