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15 July 2015

Home>Special Reports>Special Coverage 2019>Foreign Ambassadors to China Speak Highly of Hunan

Philippine Ambassador to China

2019-09-20 Download Print
“The world will embrace Hunan closely.”
— Philippine Ambassador to China


Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana
“Hunan is a province with a long history, surging forward like a majestic river flowing through it, and proudly marching toward the future like the towering peaks of Zhangjiajie,” said Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana. He made the remark during the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs event presenting Hunan Province.
The relationship between Romana and Hunan dates back 48 years. Sta. Romana said, “In 1971, I first visited Hunan as part of Philippine youth delegation visiting in China.” In the 1980s and 1990s, he visited Hunan many times, and Changsha, Shaoshan, Yueyang, Hengyang and other places have left a deep impression on him. He also joked, "I learned to enjoy spicy food in Hunan."
In 2018, Sta. Romana was surprised, during his visit as the Philippine ambassador to China, to find that Hunan had changed a lot. “Upon my return this time, I witnessed the place almost completely transformed by modern skyscrapers and sprawling highways. Fortunately, the magnificent Xiangjiang River is as quiet as I am familiar with,” Sta. Romana exclaimed. 
According to Sta. Romana, 2018 was a milestone year for the Philippines-Hunan exchanges. Hunan Governor Xu Dazhe visited the Philippines. A sister province agreement was signed between Hunan and Bulacan province in the Philippines to expand cooperation in economy and trade; tourism; and, culture. A cargo flight service linking Changsha and Manila was launched which increased the trade in Philippine fruits and Hunan vegetables. Changsha opened regular direct chartered flights to the Philippines' Boracay, Cebu, and Kalibo, which contributed to an increasing mutual tourist flow. “It only takes Hunanese three hours to Boracay and enjoy its white sands and turquoise waters,” said Sta. Romana. 
Sta. Romana remarked that cooperation between Hunan and the Philippines will surely have a brighter future thanks to the friendly relations between the Philippines and China. He also highly praised Hunan embracing the world, saying "I firmly believe that not only the Philippines, but also ASEAN countries and the world will embrace Hunan."
Chinese source: Voice of Hunan