Peaceful solution to West Philippine Sea rift seen

The Baguio Filipino-Chinese community sees the realization of a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict between China and the Philippines over portions of the West Philippine Sea that are actually within the country’s exclusive economic zone pursuant to international maritime laws and treaties.

Peter Ng, Chairperson of the 2024 Spring festival Executive Committee, said that the relationship between the Chinese and Filipinos in the city remains strong and admits the ongoing dispute over the West Philippine Sea because of a long time established partnership.

He pointed out that the discussions on the solutions to the said conflict will be done through high level channels that is why it is up to the leaders of both nations to work on the prevailing mechanisms to reach a peaceful agreement on the said problem.

Ng claimed that Filipino-Chinese residents of the city are committed in sustaining the partnership that had been nurtured with home-grown residents that is why such a relationship will not be directly affected by the ongoing conflict in the West Philippine Sea.

The Baguio Filipino-Chinese community has been a long-time partner of the local government in the annual celebration of the Spring festival or the Chinese Lunar New Year over the past 26 years.

Ordinance No. 18, series of 1999 institutionalized the annual celebration of the Spring festival which will be spearheaded by the local government in partnership with the various organizations of Filipino-Chinese living in the city.

The Spring festival celebration was launched last Monday during the regular flag raising ceremony at the city hall grounds to usher in the Year of the Wooden Dragon.

Aside from the barangay gift giving that commenced last Friday where 100 identified beneficiaries from barangays Ambiong and San Antonio Village received their presents from the Filipino-Chinese community, the public will have a glimpse of Little Chinatown along Session Road on February 11 and 18, 2024.

The traditional Chinese Lunar New Year parade will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 2:30 pm, along the stretch of Session road, Magsaysay Avenue, Harrison road and end up at the Melvin Jones grandstand.

The celebration will be capped by the usual Dinner Wards where the Baguio Filipino-Chinese community will be giving recognitions to identified outstanding residents who had been supporting the cause of the said community through the years. – Dexter A. See