Philippines 'open and ready' to welcome back Chinese tourists

In a message on the eve of the Chinese New Year, Frasco had expressed her wishes to make the Year of the Rabbit "a truly prosperous year for Philippine tourism," noting the rabbit symbolizes "longevity, peace and prosperity."

Earlier this month, an agreement to promote tourism cooperation between China and the Philippines was signed during a visit to China by Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos.

China has recently identified the Philippines as one of the first batches of countries where Chinese group tours are allowed to resume.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian predicted more Chinese tourists will put the Philippines on their voyage list after the two countries agreed to deepen people-to-people exchanges.

Shi Huating, aboard the flight arriving from China's eastern coastal city of Xiamen, is expected to have a reunion with her Filipino friends in Binondo, a five-century-old Chinatown in Manila.

"I feel excited. It's been a long time because of the pandemic," the Chinese teenager told Xinhua, saying she missed her Filipino friends.