On 28 September 2009, the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Philippines held a grand National Day Reception to celebrate the 60^th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China. The Philippine Vice President Noli De Castro, Acting Foreign Secretary Franklin Ebdalin and other dignitaries attended the Reception. More than 600 guests from the Philippine government departments, business communities, academic institutes, media agencies and diplomatic corps were present on the festive occasion. The Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao and the Philippine Acting Foreign Secretary Ebdalin delivered opening remarks.

Ambassador Liu began his remarks by expressing sympathy to the Philippine people affected by tropical storm "Ondoy". He said, "It's heartbreaking to hear lives lost, families displaced and people homeless. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with those affected by "Ondoy". In this difficult time, our Filipino friends can rest assured that a helping hand is all that the Chinese Government and people have to give in time of need. " Ambassador Liu then invited Mr. Yang Hua, President of Huawei Technologies Philippines, Inc. onto the stage to present the check of USD 30,000 as disaster relief funds to Vice President De Castro. The donation was well received by applause of appreciation from the audience.

Ambassador Liu continued his remarks by saying that, over the past 60 years, especially the 30 years since China adopted the policy of reform and opening-up, China and the Chinese people, under a strong leadership, have been steadily moving forward along the road towards peaceful development. China has pursued an independent foreign policy of peace. In 1960s and 1970s, there was a popular sentence in China: "We have friends all over the world." But it was not too true. What was the world like then? The Cold War was in its heyday, when confrontation overwhelmed cooperation and hostility outweighed amity. Today, I may well say that China does have friends all over the world. "

Ambassador Liu also reviewed the progress in the growth of China-Philippine friendly relations and cooperation. He believed that China and the Philippines are destined to be friends and partners. "Our leaders translated their vision and wisdom into a friendship in 1975, which has grown into a strategic and cooperative relationship honoring our endeavor in the past 34 years," he said. Ambassador Liu ended his remarks by depicting a brighter tomorrow for this strong bilateral relationship: "The China-Philippine relationship will really be what we make of it. And here in Manila, let us honor our past by reaching for a better future, leaving our two great countries and peoples more prosperous and more peaceful than we have found it."

Acting Foreign Secretary Ebdalin thanked the Chinese Government for its kind expression of sympathy and gesture of assistance for the victims of typhoon "Ondoy." He said, "On behalf of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Filipino people, I am pleased to join our Chinese friends tonight in commemorating a momentous occasion in China's history - the 60^th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China." He applauded the China's achievements in the past 60 years: "Through the hard work and sacrifices of its people, China has achieved so much in a short time. Since China opened its doors and engaged with the world, it has become a leader among developing countries and an influential member of the international community. We recognize its crucial role in the maintenance of regional and global peace and stability." On China-Philippine relations, he said, "With our unwavering commitment to achieve shared aspirations, I remain confident that the Philippines' relations with China will continue to expand, and that the traditional and centuries-old friendship between our two peoples will further deepen."