Chinese Ambassador Applauds Pasig River Restoration Efforts
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian warmly praised First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos for the swift and successful restoration of the Pasig River and the historic Jones Bridge. Speaking at the recent bridge lighting ceremony held at the Pasig River Esplanade in Manila, Huang highlighted the First Lady’s key role in initiating and realizing this project in a remarkably short period.
“Our appreciation and congratulations should go first to the First Lady for initiating this project and turning this project into reality in a very short period of time. A big applause for First Lady,” the ambassador said. He also expressed gratitude to the Chinese engineers whose expertise and hard work contributed significantly to the project’s success.
Inspiration From Beijing’s Liangma River
Ambassador Huang noted that the revitalization of the Pasig River drew inspiration from the Liangma River development in Beijing. This project transformed a public space through ecological enhancements and urban design, showing how much the two countries can learn from each other. The Pasig River Urban Development, which includes the lighting of Jones Bridge, symbolizes this fruitful exchange of ideas.
The ambassador also emphasized the enduring strong friendship between the Philippines and China, despite global geopolitical challenges. He recalled how leaders from both nations, fifty years ago, boldly established diplomatic relations, a legacy that continues to inspire cooperation and dialogue today.
Jones Bridge Revival Boosts Binondo’s Heritage
President Marcos shared that lighting the Jones Bridge is part of a larger effort to restore Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown. This restoration affirms Binondo’s cultural and economic importance. “We brought new life to Jones Bridge to further enrich the history, culture, and livelihood of Binondo,” he posted on social media.
The Chinatown Revitalization Project aims to make historic districts safer and more accessible for families, students, workers, and small businesses. This initiative reflects a commitment to preserving heritage while promoting community welfare.
First Lady Leads Pasig River Rehabilitation
First Lady Liza Marcos has been a driving force behind the Pasig River rehabilitation, lamenting years of neglect of this iconic waterway. Earlier this year, she announced a partnership between the Philippine government and a UAE-based nonprofit, Clean Rivers, to clean and revive the river.
The project is expected to be completed in time for the Philippines to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2026. Special Envoy to the UAE for Trade and Investments, Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, shared that the UAE contributed $20 million through Erth Zayed Philanthropies to support these rehabilitation efforts.
This partnership focuses on both preventative and corrective measures to restore the river while creating socio-economic opportunities for local communities.
For more news and updates on Pasig River restoration efforts, visit Filipinokami.com.