Presient Benigno Aquino lll. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC
Malacañang joined the Chinese-Filipino community in celebrating today’s Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, calling it one of the “most revered and festive events” in China and in the Philippines.
Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. quoted President Aquino as saying in 2011 when he proclaimed the Lunar New Year as a special nonworking holiday that “the joint celebration is a manifestation of our solidarity with our Chinese-Filipino brethren.”
In a message, the President wished the Chinese-Filipino community “happiness, prosperity and good health.”
Mr. Aquino cited the “dynamic heritage” of Chinese-Filipinos, saying it “adds depth and vibrancy to our Republic’s history.”
“Your contributions are as far reaching as they are varied. Your culture has become part of our collective identity as Filipinos,” he said.
Thus, “the government is one with you in celebrating the Lunar New Year,” Mr. Aquino said.
“May this event enrich, highlight and promote the qualities, values and ideals that make your community a treasured component of our nation,” he added.
For his part, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua referred to the territorial dispute in the South China Sea and said: “Compared with our thousand-year-old friendship and extensive cooperation, the difficulties we are facing on the South China Sea issue are temporary.”
Zhao added: “It is our common responsibility to handle this issue in a proper and peaceful manner.”
He made the statement in the presence of Mr. Aquino and other government officials during the celebration of Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day. Jerry E. Esplanada