Mandaue, Danao forge ties with Chinese cities

CEBU, Philippines — The cities of Mandaue and Danao in Cebu have sought for closer relationships with Chinese cities.

In a recent visit of officials from China's Fujian province in Cebu, the cities of Nan’an and Putian were looking to establish friendship city relationships with the cities of Mandaue and Danao, respectively.

Mandaue City vice mayor Carlo Fortuna signed a letter of mutual intent to establish friendship-city relationship together with Mayor Rongzhong Lin of Nan’an City. Danao City mayor Ramonito Durano III also signed with Putian Mayor Li Jianhui.

A delegation from Fujian recently visited Cebu to boost investment and tourism opportunities.

The Cebu provincial government had sealed its sister-province agreement with Fujian.

The friendship province relationship was deemed a starting point for the two provinces to share knowledge and resources to further spur economic growth.

Prior to Fujian officials' visit to Cebu, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and some key business leaders also visited the Chinese province to discover various opportunities for mutual cooperation in the areas of infrastructure development, trade and tourism, agriculture and cultural exchanges.

"We wish to duplicate what we have witnessed as massive investment in building road networks in the cities and countryside,” Davide said.

Cebuano businessmen recently explored opportunities at the 20th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) last Sept. 8-10 at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center.

At the event the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Xiamen Chamber of International Commerce had signed a joint cooperation agreement during the Cebu-Fujian Business and Tourism Cooperation Seminar.

The Cebuano businessmen were looking to attract Chinese investors to Cebu and seal possible partnerships.

The investment fair was also an opportunity to bank on the good relationship between China and the Philippines in expanding trade and investment relations. (FREEMAN)