Chinese city explores Cebu City sisterhood pact

CEBU, Philippines - Chinese tourism officials recently visited Cebu City for a possible sisterhood agreement with China’s Haikou City in Hainan Province.Vice director Cai Qiao of Haikou Tourism Development Commission said he finds Cebu City as the most beautiful among the three cities they visited in the country and the closest to their home.

Chinese tourism officials enjoyed a city tour and a sumptuous dinner offered by the city government.

Qiao said that Cebu City and Haikou City have many things in common. Aside from the fact that both are the capital cities of their respective provinces, they are both emerging in the fields of tourism and economy.

Haikou officials hope to develop a partnership with the city through cultural, academic and economical exchange.

They invited Mayor Michael Rama and other city officials to visit Haikou City anytime soon. He also promised to encourage investors from their country to invest in Cebu. He likewise hopes that investors from Cebu will venture in Haikou.

Haikou is the biggest city in Hainan Province with a population of over 1.8 million.Its industry is dominated by tropical crops processing, electronics and textiles.

According to Wikipedia, Haikou’s Gross Domestic Product per capita in 2008 has reached USD3,573. It ranked 43 among 659 Chinese cities. The city exports great quantities of agricultural produce and livestock.

Qiao said that Haikou City is an important city in the tourism industry of China. The city has beautiful sceneries, a pleasant climate and abundant vegetation.

Haikou receives an average 4 million tourists a year since 2002. From this, the city earns at least three billion Yuan annually. — (FREEMAN)