Chinese Consul General in Cebu Zhang Zhen Encourages People-to-People Exchanges to promote mutual understanding at Philippine China Travel Exchange 2026

Speaking at the Philippine China Travel Exchange 2026 Informal Networking meeting in Cordova on June 27th, Consul General Zhang underscored the vital role of tourism in bridging peoples and societies."Tourism is about people. It is about encounters, experiences, and stories. It is more than leisure-it is a bridge between peoples and societies," said Zhang in her speech. She stressed that face-to-face interactions create opportunities for understanding, which is especially crucial in times of uncertainty.

Quoting an Chinese saying, she noted, "Friendship between peoples holds the key to sound relations between states," emphasizing that people-to-people exchanges are the very foundation of state-to-state trust. Zhang expressed delight at the growing momentum of two-way travel in the first five months of this year. She noted that genuine encounters help dissolve prejudice and misconception. "The best ambassador for any destination is a visitor who has been there," she said, urging tourism stakeholders from both sides to engage in more dialogue and work in unison. Only when peoples, institutions, and communities move in tandem can shared aspirations be turned into shared achievements.

The event was themed around rebuilding Chinese travelers' confidence and strengthening connectivity to key Philippine destinations. It gathered  Mayor Cesar "Didoy" E. Suan, representatives from Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Department of Tourism-Region VII, Aboitiz InfraCapital and Consulate General of the Philippines in Shanghai.