On 31 August 2021, the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with the Chinese Consulate in Laoag donated a batch of medical supplies including oxygen concentrators and oxygen cylinders to Ilocos Norte Province to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, Consul and Head of Post of the Chinese Consulate in Laoag Zhou Youbin, and the governor of the Ilocos Norte Province Matthew Marcos Manotoc attended the online handover ceremony. Senator Imee Marcos also delivered a video speech.
Ambassador Huang said China and the Philippines have always helped and supported each other during trying times. At the most difficult moment in China's anti-pandemic fight last year, the Philippines was among the first to provide relief goods to China. Governor Manotoc also expressed solidarity with China and the Chinese people. In reciprocation, China has extended help and support to the Philippines to the best of its ability. So far, China has provided 30 million doses of vaccine to the Philippines.
Ambassador Huang expressed that the Chinese people always cherish and honor old friends. The Marcos family have made great contributions to the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. In appreciation of their outstanding contributions to China-Philippines friendship, the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU) has recently honored Madame Imelda Marcos with the "Award for Promoting China-Philippines Understanding", which hopefully would inspire more young Filipinos to join in the endeavor of promoting bilateral friendship.
During the phone conservation between President Xi Jinping and President Duterte last Friday, President Xi Jinping reiterated that China would continuously strengthen anti-pandemic cooperation with the Philippines, and provide assistance for the latter's fight against the Covid-19. Ambassador Huang reassured that the Chinese embassy and consulate would continue to provide more needed support to the province of Ilocos Norte and the Philippines at large.
Senator Imee said that whenever the Philippines encountered difficulties, China always stood as the first to offer help as a good friend. Governor Manotoc said that the Chinese Embassy and Consulate donated medical supplies at the darkest time of Ilocos Norte Province. The Marcos family values traditional friendship with China. There is still a lot of potential to be tapped in the cooperation of Ilocos Norte Province and China, and the province would continue to be the gateway of the Philippines to China.