Duterte lauds Chinese contribution to Philippine culture, economy in Spring Festival message

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte extended his greetings on Friday to Chinese Filipinos as they celebrated the Spring Festival, popularly known in the Philippines as Chinese New Year.

In a message read by presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella during his regular news briefing at Malacanang, the presidential palace, Duterte said the government shares the joys and hopes of Chinese friends and Chinese Filipinos who have found a root and reason for staying in the Philippines.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Beijing on October 20, 2016. /Xinhua Photo

He said the Chinese have enriched Filipino culture and history and cited their contribution to the Philippine economy by trade and investments.

"Their cuisine has been dearly familiar in many Filipino homes. Their philosophy and attitude in life are a wellspring of practical lessons that all of us, regardless of nationality, can learn from," he said.

"May all of us develop a more profound appreciation of our heritage as two distinct yet intertwined peoples, and further fortify the goodwill that we have shared over the years," the president said.

"To everyone else who believes in the miracle of beginnings and who makes a choice for hope against fear, my best wishes on this auspicious season of the Chinese New Year."

January 28 is declared a special non-working day in the Philippines in observance of the Spring Festival.

(Source: Xinhua)