Jun Ledesma
The Chinese New Year this year started last February 10 when the New Moon appears. It is observed with grand celebration that lasts up to the 24th of February. With the advent of modern technologies the dragon dance no longer entertains us in the streets but in the skies all living colors. It’s amazing how 1,500 drones are maneuvered in an impeccable cadence showing the dragon slithering in space.
We have China Town in Davao which I think is the only one in Mindanao. Like most Filipino Chinese ancestors, those from Davao are from Fujian Province. In Davao City the Chinese community built Chinese school where the grandmother of VP Sara Duterte, the amiable civic leader Soledad “Nanay Soling” Duterte was among the first teacher. For that the grateful Fujian government constructed a school and named it Soledad College of Fujian Normal School which was formally inaugurated last year. Former Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte graced the event.
The friendship that binds Davao and Fujian and other provinces of China where not a few Chinese nationals migrated to Davao had transcends political upheavals. The generations that came after China’s own political transitions had made pilgrimage to their forefather’s native land but opted to stay in Davao as their homeland.
China had made enumerable inroads in every facet of technology, infrastructures and other progressive development which are unknown to us as these were obfuscated by western anti-China propaganda. Consider these vital information from our friends at the Chinese Consulate General in Davao:
“The past year of 2023 was a year when China defeated the pandemic and recovered its economy. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, the Chinese people have resolutely overcome internal and external difficulties and promoted the continued recovery of China’s economy.
“In 2023, the Chinese economy has achieved a year-on-year GDP growth of 5.2 per cent, outpacing most major economies. According to the World Bank, China’s economic growth in 2023 is 1.5 times that of the US, 16.5 times that of the EU. The International Monetary Fund has stated that China will remain the largest driver of global economic growth in the next five years, and every one percentage point increase in its gross domestic product (GDP) growth leads to 0.3 percentage point increase in growth in other economies. As the only country encompassing all industrial categories in the United Nations industrial classification, China contributes to around one third of world economic growth over the years. The scale of China’s manufacturing industry has ranked first in the world for 13 consecutive years.
‘In 2023, China has exported more than $150 billion of the “New Three” ( EVs, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products), and produced 25% of the world’s grain, 34% cars, over 50% steel and 60% household appliances. The added value of the manufacturing industry accounts for nearly 33% of the world’s total, and the export of goods accounts for 1/7 of the world’s total.
‘In the post-pandemic era, despite challenging international environment, increasing uncertainty of the world economy and insufficient growth momentum, China’s economy can still achieve its growth targets beyond expectations with per-capita disposable income continuing to rise, which is a strong demonstration of China’s resilience, vitality and potential.
‘In the meantime, China’s demographic dividend is turning into talent dividend, as innovation is becoming the primary driving force for development. China now ranks first in the world in terms of the size of talent pool, human resources in science and technology and the total number of researchers. A number of new pillar industries have emerged rapidly with the characteristic of high-end, intelligent and green, and China’s modern industrial system has become more complete. China has made important breakthroughs in fields such as aerospace, large aircraft manufacturing, nuclear fusion, quantum computing, life sciences, microchips, and artificial intelligence. China’s high-tech manufacturing industry has gained strong momentum and rising global influence.
“Drawing our view back to Mindanao, I am happy to have witnessed the tightened cooperation here between China and the Philippines. In 2023, we jointly received the Fujian Governor’s delegation, as well as delegations from several other Chinese cities. We witnessed the resumption of direct flight from Jinjiang to Davao, and the establishment of sister-city relations between Dezhou City, Shandong Province and Davao. Many other sister city relations between Chinese and Mindanao cities are also revitalized.
‘’Looking forward, we are confident that China will continue to open its door wider, continue to consolidate the good momentum of economic recovery, bring more benefits to the world.
On the way forward, we hope that our friends in Mindanao could find new opportunities in cooperation with China, and forge ahead towards higher level of cooperation between China and the Philippines!”
Indeed Davao has an avuncular space in China. We are the 2nd biggest exporter of Cavendish bananas in the world and China practically absorbs them all.
Truth to tell nearly everything that Davao can produce China buys. These includes durian, fresh tuna, tuna sashimi and other marine products that Davao can raise. That is the mark of true friendship. The Chinese Year of the Dragon is Davao’s celebration. Cheers! (Jun Ledesma)