Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
President
Sara Z. Duterte
Vice President
Enrique A. Manalo
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Iric C. Arribas
Consul General
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PCG Guangzhou visits the Stone House
Guangzhou, 28 April 2025 — As part of the 50th anniversary of Philippines-China diplomatic relations, Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas joined a guided visit to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, led by Professor Tang Guohua of Guangzhou University. Built entirely of granite from 1863 to 1888, the Gothic-style cathedral—known locally as the “Stone House”—is the largest of its kind in China and Southeast Asia.
Professor Tang, who directed its restoration from 2004 to 2006, showcased the custom-made stained-glass windows from the Philippines, chosen for their quality, affordability, and the country’s deep experience in church glasswork. These windows now illuminate the historic church in vivid color. Chinese bricks were also incorporated to blend local craftsmanship with Gothic design.
The visit underscored the rich heritage and growing cultural collaboration between the Philippines and China.
PCCI and CCPIT Hainan sign MOU
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and CCPIT Hainan signed an MOU on April 15, 2025, marking a milestone in Philippines-Hainan business ties. Philippine Consul General in Guangzhou Iric Cruz Arribas congratulated PCCI President Ms. Enunina V. Mangio and CCPIT Hainan Chairwoman Mrs. Ning Hongwen and Vice Chairman Wang Yuyuan for their leadership.
The signing follows Consul General Arribas’ meeting with CCPIT Hainan, where he saw the potential to boost business engagement—especially with the growth of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Key sectors for cooperation include tourism, modern services, healthcare, tropical agriculture (notably coconut), green energy, and digital trade. He encouraged Hainanese firms to invest in the Philippines, offering proximity to raw materials and access to a 120-million population plus ASEAN’s 600 million.
As both sides celebrate 50 years of PH-China ties, he hoped for direct flights to Hainan and thanked PCCI, CCPIT, and PTIC-Guangzhou for making the MOU possible.
The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou was established on 23 March 1997 with Mr. Luis T. Cruz as Consul General. A ceremonial opening was held on 23 May 1997 at the White Swan Hotel and was graced by then Senate President Ernesto M. Maceda, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. and former Philippine Ambassador to China Romualdo A. Ong on the Philippine side, and Guangdong Vice Governor Lu Zhonghe, Vice Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, and Guangzhou Vice Mayor Liu Jinxiang on the Chinese side.
The opening of the Consulate General was in fulfillment of the agreement entered into by the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China in November 1996 during the state visit of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin to the Philippines.
The Philippines is the 11th country to open its Consulate General in Guangzhou. Philippine Consuls General to Guangzhou include:
1. Mr. Luis T. Cruz (07 May 1997 – 30 June 2000);
2. Mr. Isaias F. Begonia (12 September 2000 – 30 April 2003);
3. Ms. Erlinda Q. Gavino (30 April 2003 – 9 March 2007);
4. Mr. Shulan O. Primavera (10 October 2007 - 05 September 2008);
5. Atty. Alex G. Chua (16 September 2008 - 31 July 2009);
6. Mr. Joselito A. Jimeno (16 August 2009- 23 September 2011);
7. Atty. Raly L. Tejada (27 October 2011 – 16 July 2015);
8. Ms. Marie Charlotte G. Tang (17 July 2015 – 27 January 2018);
9. Mr. Marshall Louis M. Alferez (16 April 2018 – present).
The Consulate has jurisdiction over the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Hainan, Hunan and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Establishment of Relations with Host Country
The Philippines established diplomatic relations with and the People’s Republic of China with the signing of a joint communiqué 09 June 1975 by then Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. The Philippines opened its Embassy in Beijing soon after.
Today, in addition to the Embassy, the Philippines has Consulates-General in Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Chongqing, and the Special Administrative Regions of Hongkong and Macau.
