Chongqing Brings Mid-Autumn Traditions and Tech to Manila

The festival marks a shift from the virtual "Flying Across Mountains and Seas" campaign initiated last May to direct, face-to-face engagement. Organizers curated seven distinct thematic exhibitions, ranging from Bayu cultural heritage and traditional mooncake tastings to advanced industrial showcases. Zhou Zhiyong, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, emphasized that these cultural exchanges serve as the modern evolution of the historic Maritime Silk Road, fostering deeper connections through shared art and commerce.

Economic ties took center stage alongside cultural displays. Maria Christina G. Aquino of the Philippine Department of Tourism noted that China currently stands as the country’s fourth-largest tourism market, with nearly 320,000 arrivals recorded this year. Beyond tourism, the event facilitated concrete industrial partnerships. Representatives from Chongqing’s Liangjiang New Area highlighted the local integration of HIFU medical technology and new energy vehicles. Furthermore, institutions including Southwest University, Air China, and Changan Automobile used the platform to establish new academic and trade avenues, while Happyyou International Travel finalized a formal cooperation agreement with Philippine tourism agencies.