On 21 August 2024, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI), led by President Samuel Lee Uy, attended the Manila Forum for Philippines-China Relations with the theme, “Exploring the Opportunities with Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.” The forum was held with great success at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City and was attended by hundreds of leaders from various Chinese-Filipino community groups and numerous dignitaries.

The forum formally started with the opening remarks of His Excellency Huang Xilian, the Ambassador of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines. The Ambassador expressed his gratitude and high hopes that through the forum, a mutually-benefiting relationship between the two countries will be further enhanced. The keynote speaker was Dr. Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, the Chairman of Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and a Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

In his impressive speech, Dr. Jonathan Choi Koon-shum elaborated on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) which is now considered as one of the fastest growing regions in China with soaring Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He also discussed the China-Philippine trade in agricultural products with an average annual growth rate of 10 % between 2020 and 2023. The keynote speaker also mentioned that China is now one of the Philippines’ most significant sources of foreign direct investment with almost USD3 billion worth of investment from 2018 to 2023.

All attendees loudly applauded Dr. Jonathan Choi Koon-shum’s talk-presentation. Everyone is strongly rooting for the deepening of the relationship between the Philippines and China towards a brighter future, and the resolution of current issues. After a short tea break, a panel discussion was held and moderated by Mr. Antony Chan, Vice President of Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).

CFBCI extends it commendation of the esteemed roster of panelists during the discussion, including Sec. Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon, Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, and Mr. Raul Lambino, Chairman of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding. The forum smoothly came into conclusion with the closing remarks of Mr. Cecilio Pedro, President of FFCCCII.
菲華工商總會訊：本會理事長黃書瑋偕同副理事長施茵茵，於八月廿一日（星期三）下午三時，應邀出席由中國駐菲大使館、菲華商聯總會、香港中華總商會及菲中了解協會，假馬尼拉康萊德酒店（Conrad Manila）所舉辦，以「粵港澳大灣區的前景與機遇」為主題的第十二屆「中菲關係馬尼拉論壇」。

中國人民政治協商會議全國委員會常務委員、香港中華總商會會長蔡冠深博士擔任主講人。中國駐菲大使黃溪連，菲律濱共和國總統扶貧顧問Lorenzo Larry Gadon部長，菲律濱共和國貿工部投資委員會投資促進服務處處長Evariste Cagatan，香港駐雅加達經濟貿易辦事處處長鄭青文，菲中了解協會主席Raul Lambino等中菲政商界人士，數百人出席盛會。

活動在演奏莊嚴肅穆的菲律濱共和國國歌及中華人民共和國國歌後，拉開序幕。黃溪連大使致辭時表示，粵港澳大灣區是習近平主席親自謀劃、親自部署、親自推動的重大國家戰略；黨的二十屆三中全會就進一步全面深化改革、推進中國式現代化作出總體部署，吹響了大灣區新一輪改革發展的號角，將為東盟各國乃至世界帶來新的發展機遇。

主講人蔡冠深博士隨即就「粵港澳大灣區的前景與機遇」論壇主題開始發表專題演講；演講結束後，進行了兩國政府、工商和友好團體代表的專題研討。出席者一致認為粵港澳大灣區潛力巨大、前景廣闊，中菲應發揮區位優勢，緊抓歷史機遇，積極參與大灣區建設，切實造福兩國人民。

與會者在這場豐富的機遇盛會中，對粵港澳大灣區的未來充滿了期待，同時期望中菲能共同譜寫開放合作、互利共贏的新篇章。在歷經三個多小時的學術論壇，最終成功完美劃下句點。

圖片說明：本會出席領導、同仁在會場合影。
上圖：（左起）副理事長施茵茵，立案秘書吳恆利，榮譽理事長黃拔來，描東岸地區董事黃志安，理事長黃書瑋，榮譽理事長許長安，菲華商聯總會秘書長顏長江，描東岸地區常務理事柯吉平。
下圖：（左起）常務理事柯吉平，副理事長施茵茵，榮譽理事長許長安，榮譽理事長黃拔來，理事長黃書瑋，董事黃志安，丹轆地區常務理事姚向東。