𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔, 𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐗𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝟏𝟔-𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro met with Guangxi Governor Wei Tao during the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), seeking to build on Cebu and Guangxi’s longstanding sister-province relationship through more concrete cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, logistics, agriculture, education and people-to-people exchanges.

For Gov. Pam, Cebu’s international engagements must go beyond meetings and exhibitions. The goal is to develop partnerships that can eventually generate new markets for Cebuano businesses, greater economic activity, and more jobs and livelihood opportunities for Cebuanos.

“Cebu and Guangxi are sister provinces. We already have a strong foundation of friendship. I hope this visit will help us make this relationship even stronger and bring more benefits to our people,” Gov. Pam said.

Among the possibilities discussed was connecting Cebuano exporters and businesses with more markets through Guangxi, while encouraging companies interested in the Philippines to explore Cebu for opportunities in manufacturing, food processing, tourism, renewable energy, infrastructure and technology.

Gov. Pam also raised opportunities for Cebu’s small and medium enterprises and proposed bringing together business groups and players in the shipping and logistics sectors to explore stronger commercial connections between Cebu and Guangxi.

The discussion comes amid developments in Guangxi’s maritime connectivity, including the Pinglu Canal, which is intended to provide a shorter route from Guangxi’s inland areas to the Beibu Gulf and strengthen its connections with Southeast Asian markets.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄, 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

Tourism and connectivity were also discussed, including the possibility of exploring a future direct Nanning-Cebu air connection, which could make travel easier for tourists, businesspeople, investors, students and other travelers.

In agriculture, possible areas of cooperation include modern farming, food processing, cold storage and technologies that could potentially benefit Cebu’s farmers and fishing communities.

Gov. Pam likewise proposed expanding opportunities for Cebuano students and young people through educational exchanges, technical training, scholarships, language programs and partnerships between institutions in Cebu and Guangxi.

To move these discussions toward specific initiatives, the Governor proposed exploring a Cebu-Guangxi Sister Province Action Plan for 2027–2029, which could provide a working framework for cooperation between the two sides.

The meeting formed part of Cebu’s participation in CAEXPO, held in Nanning from September 17 to 21, where Cebu is featured as the Philippines’ Province of Charm. This year’s expo brings together more than 3,400 companies from over 70 countries and regions, with more than 50 trade and investment promotion activities scheduled.

But for Gov. Pam, the value of Cebu’s presence will ultimately be measured by what can be brought home to its people.

“Cebu is honored to be the Philippines’ Province of Charm at this year’s CAEXPO. But we hope our participation will lead to something more lasting than an exhibition,” she said.

Gov. Pam thanked Gov. Wei for receiving the Cebu delegation and extended an invitation for him to visit Cebu as both provinces look toward the next chapter of their partnership.

“Let us build a sister-province partnership that brings our markets closer, our businesses together and our people nearer to one another.”

From stronger trade and connectivity to opportunities for businesses, farmers, students and workers, Cebu is seeking to turn a 16-year friendship into practical partnerships that can create lasting benefits for Cebuano communities. 💜

𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦: 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘭 𝘗𝘐𝘖