President Arroyo approved yesterday the opening of a Philippine consulate in Central China in response to the appeal of the city's officials. The President said that it was a great honor to drop in on the city. During her visit, she had an informal meeting at the VIP Holding Room of the Jinjiang Hotel with Mayor Ge Honglin.

"We are looking forward to the Philippine government setting up here... if you would be willing to set up a consulate here. Chengdu is full of Asian culture," Mayor Ge Honglin said. In response, President Arroyo said that the Philippines' association with China has reached its "golden age" and it is high time to set up a consulate in the area. Citing trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchange as additional reason to open a consulate, President Arroyo guaranteed the city officials that "envoys from the Philippines, to be composed of prominent Filipino-Chinese, will follow through our conversations today."

President Arroyo conveyed her happiness over the signing of sisterhood ties between Sichuan,Chengdu’s mother province, and the province of Cebu. She was also glad that several companies like Shoemart, Metro Bank and Oishi are gearing up to open branches in Chengdu and she hoped that more Chengdu companies will put up business in the Philippines.