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MANILA HOTEL, Rizal Park, Manila, May 3, 2026 (SDN) — In a grand celebration of understanding and friendship in this historic hotel, the Association for Philippine-China Understanding (APCU) led by its Chairman and President Raul L. Lambino bestowed recognition to Filipino and Chinese personalities for promoting friendship and understanding between the two countries and their peoples.
APCU Chairman and President Raul L. Lambino led the highly attended event graced by China Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan, officers of APCU, Chinese Embassy officials, dignitaries from the local Chinese community, Filipino leaders, business personalities, and many more friends of China.
Lambino cited the significance of recognizing Filipinos who build bridges of understanding and friendship.
“Tonight we will honor three laureates for the 6th Award for the Promotion of Philippines-China Understanding who best typify the spirit of persistence we needed to pull through the current trials we face,” the APCU chairman and president emphasizes.
The Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU), according to the event’s brochure, “is a joint project of the APCU and the Embassy of the People’s Republic China in the country.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was launched the APPCU on January 16, 2021 to recognize Filipinos who have dedicated their time and effort to strengthening the Philippines and China’s ties of friendship, understanding, and cooperation.
APPCU’s 2026 awardees are: Hall of Fame Award — former Senator Anna Dominique “Nikki” Marquez-Lim Coseteng; Outstanding Contribution Awards — Dominic Edgard A. Cabangon and Special Envoy Maynard S. Ngu; Major Contribution Awards — Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, Ng Siu Seng, Joaquin Sy, and Teodoro Nebres Dofiles II; Amity Awards — Marianne Lourdes Leonor, Nelson Garcia Santiago (posthumous), Eden Batangoy Accad, Shirley Agrupis, and Justin Clarence Lao Tembreza.
China’s top diplomat looks ahead for another 50 years of relations with Philippines
APPCU’s Laureate awardees are Dr. Clarita R. Carlos, political scientist, scholar, national security expert, educator, and diplomat of ideas; Peter Leung, a distinguished leader in Baguio City’s Filipino-Chinese community; and the first non-Filipino awardee of the APCU, Prof. Zhang Zhaodong, a globally respected agronomist and a pioneer of tropical hybrid rice.
The award is a highlight of “outstanding Filipinos” as they “continue to build bridges of understanding and celebrate the lasting friendship between our two nations,” says the organization.
Macapagal-Arroyo cited the importance of the Philippines and China relations, saying when she “became the President, relations between (the two countries) entered a golden age.”
The former President added the Philippines and China’s “continuing friendship enhances the mutually beneficial relations between our two countries and contributes to the peace and harmony in the Asia Pacific Region.”
The Chinese envoy to the Philippines described in his message for the event two countries being “close neighbors across the sea, and the friendship between our peoples goes back a long way.”
Ambassador Jing recalled these relations as spanning over a century as “our ancestors crossed the waters to trade and connect, building a bond that runs deep.”
The Chinese diplomat also noted that when the two countries established diplomatic ties 51 years ago even amidst the changes in the world, “our two peoples have always stood by each other and stayed close at heart. That long-standing friendship has only grown stronger over time.”
Looking forward to another 50 years to friendly relations, China’s top diplomat in the country expressed optimism those who look back “may feel proud of what we are striving to do day” when the two countries mark 100 years of friendship. — EDD K. USMAN (✓)
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To be updated with more information and details.