According to the Philippine Chinese Commercial News, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations hosted a banquet at the Emperor Seafood Restaurant to welcome the delegation led by Qiao Wei, Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. Guests in attendance included Consul Wang Jun of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the Federation's advisory committee member and founding president of the Soong Ching Ling Foundation of the Philippines Chen Zuchang, and the Federation's advisor and Honorary President of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ambassador Huang Chenghui. Qiao Wei and his delegation were warmly welcomed by Federation Chairman Dai Hongda and other key leaders, and both sides held cordial and friendly talks.
Chairman Dai Hongda first extended a warm welcome to Vice Chairman Qiao and his delegation on behalf of the Federation. Chairman Dai briefly introduced the Federation's annual joint efforts with various Filipino-Chinese groups to host banquets celebrating China's National Day and Philippine-China Friendship Day, as well as inviting Chinese art troupes to perform in the Philippines. He highlighted the work done over the past thirty years to promote economic, trade, scientific, and cultural exchanges between the Philippines and China, to foster friendly non-governmental interactions, and to maintain and strengthen good-neighborly relations between the two countries.
In his speech, Vice Chairman Qiao Wei of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese highly praised the Federation for its positive contributions to promoting economic, trade, and cultural relations between the Philippines and China. Vice Chairman Qiao also briefed the attendees on the Federation's reconstruction efforts for Beichuan Middle School in the Sichuan earthquake-stricken area and the preparations for the "China Night" at the Shanghai World Expo. He cordially invited the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations to organize a delegation to attend the Shanghai World Expo in May.
