20160119.nhscs.hainan

The second workshop of the initiative “Partnership for Regional Peace: Operationalising ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Southeast Asia” was held in Hainan, China from 17-19 January 2016. Organized by two think tanks - the Center for Strategic and International Studies of Indonesia and China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCS) – and supported as well by Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, this meeting follows an initial workshop held last September in Jakarta.

The APPFI Board of Trustees met last January 11 to review 2015 activities and to set broad directions for 2016. Board Chairman Raphael Lotilla presided over the breakfast meeting, which was held at the Astoria Plaza. In her President’s report, Dr Aileen Baviera thanked the members of the Board for their active participation in discussion-forums organized under the China Program, and for engaging in relevant international exchanges in the past year. APPFI roundtables in 2015 were held in partnership with other reputable groups such as the Asia Pacific Projects Inc., the ASEAN project of Asian Institute of Management, the Confederation of Philippine Exporters, as well as with various programs of the University of the Philippines.

20151218.china.gz

Photo shows the student delegation to Guangzhou with Sun Yat Sen Professor You Hongbo. From left to right: Ivy Ganadillo, Florence Principe, Paulo Villar,  Tricia Villa, Dr. You Hongbo, Philip Alegre and Krystal Sembrano

Last December 18-24, 2015, seven students from the University of the Philippines whose research interests focus on China embarked on a study tour in Guangzhou, China. The group included APPFI staff Florence Principe and Philip Alegre. The delegation was organized by the Chinese Culture and Society class under Dr. Tina Clemente, in partnership with Jinan University and Sun Yat Sen University.

20151122.villacorta

Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta, Board Member of the Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation, Inc. (APPFI), was invited to be the adviser to the De La Salle University delegation, which successfully reached agreements with three of China’s top universities. The educational mission took place from 22-28 November, 2015.