Dr. Francisco Nemenzo, President of the University of the Philippines

Miss Susan Laurel, (Daughter of the late Sen. Salvador Laurel)

Atty. Eduardo Hernandez, Former President of the UPAA

Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman, Chancellor of U.P. Diliman

Dr. Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr., Vice President for Public Affairs

Dr. Jose N. Endriga, Former Vice President

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure and honor to attend the inauguration of the Sino-Philippine Friendship Room at the University of the Philippines, which is one of the leading universities in this country and well known in Asia and the world at large. Now I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to President Nemenzo and other hosts for their kind invitation.

China and the Philippines, as close neighbors, have a traditional friendship dating back for hundreds of years. Ever since our two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975, the friendly relations and cooperation have been developing steadily in all fields such as high-level visits, bilateral trade and cultural exchanges. Our time-honored friendship is growing stronger than ever on the solid basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. Against this background, I believe that the University has chosen the most appropriate and best name for its new computer room, namely the Sino-Philippine Friendship Room. It is my firm belief that our friendly relations, in particular the friendly academic exchanges between this University and Chinese universities, will grow with a computerized speed.

Education is an important part of our bilateral relations. I’m encouraged by recent progress of our educational cooperation such as scholarship programs, scholar exchanges and Chinese language training. Furthermore, there are Philippine students studying in China and Chinese students studying on this campus. I am confident that with better mutual understanding and trust enhanced by our educational exchanges, the University of the Philippines will play an even more important role in promoting our friendly relations and cooperation for generations to come.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to celebrate on June 9 the third Chinese-Philippine Friendship Day proclaimed by President Arroyo in 2002. Therefore it is most appropriate for the University to join us in the celebration by inaugurating this computer room. I hope that the Sino-Philippine Friendship Room will help Philippine students learn more about China and have better and faster access to the outside world. Finally, I wish you all enjoy a good health and success in you work.

Thank you and Mabuhay!