Youth exchange program opens opportunities to Ilonggo students

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

The cities of Iloilo and Quanzhou in China partnered for a youth exchange program on Tuesday to foster friendly relations.

Quanzhou City’s Vice-Chairman for Foreign Affairs Zhu Tuan Neng and Mayor Jerry Treñas signed a memorandum of agreement on Tuesday at the City Hall.

Last July 2018, the two cities also signed an agreement for the establishment of friendly relationship between Iloilo and Quanzhou.

“During the visit of Quanzhou delegation in Iloilo City in November 2018, both sides decided to make youth curricular exchange program under the support of the governments and councils,” Tuan Neng said.

Through friendly consultations, both sides agreed to coordinate and organize youth delegations that will visit the two cities.

According to Treñas, they will send qualified students of Iloilo City Community College to China to learn the language, while Chinese will come here to study English.

The mayor underscored the importance of building friendship and connections with cities in China considering that it’s a big market for tourism.

“We really encourage this person-to-person visits kay para sa akon masyado gid ka importante that people also learn about Iloilo especially because China is a very big market for tourism,” he stressed.

Treñas welcomed the Quanzhou delegation headed by Tuan Neng through a welcome dinner last November 12, 2019 in Hotel Del Rio.