【正确答案】In celebration of the 34th anniversary of China-Philippine Diplomatic Relations and the 8th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day, the Chinese Embassy of the Philippines, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations staged an evening art performance "Let's Join Hands for Fil-Sino Friendship" at PICC on 9 June 2009. Ambassador Liu Jianchao, the Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Franklin Ebdalin and Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero were present.
Your Honorable Gilberto Teodoro (Secretary of National Defense),
Your Honorable Franklin Ebdalin (Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs),
Your Honorable Senator Chiz Escudero,
Respectful Dr. Peter Ty (Chairman of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations of the Philippines), Excellencies and Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps, Leaders of Filipino-Chinese Communities,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening and a big welcome to this special and festive gathering.
Thirty-four years ago today, the forerunners of our two countries started the diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. They planted the seeds of friendship, and today, we are reaping a bumper harvest of an ever strong strategic and cooperative relationship between us. We are obliged to the forerunners for their vision and courage, and we shall never waver in carrying this cause forward to a greater and brighter future.
On behalf of the Chinese people, I want to thank the Philippine people for your friendship and goodwill towards us. We thank you for proclaiming 9th of June since 2002 as the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day. This is the 8th Friendship Day and I am sure there will be more of them for us to celebrate in the time to come.
This is also an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of the Filipino-Chinese to the thriving bilateral relationship. For centuries, the Filipino-Chinese have been struggling, fighting and working together with the Philippine people for independence, liberty and prosperity. They are, and will continue to be a driving force for the growth of China-Philippine relations.
This is a time to celebrate. Tonight, we are so pleased to have with us visiting artists from China's Guangdong Province. Their performance will be another event adding to the already colorful cultural exchanges between our two countries. I hope you will find the performance fascinating, impressive and enjoyable.
Thank you and Mabuhay!