One Moon Over Two Cities: Manila Embraces the “Chongqing Wave”

On September 12, the SM Mall of Asia lit up with lanterns, aromas of spicy hotpot and the soft hum of traditional Chinese instruments as the "Chongqing Meets Manila – A Mid‑Autumn Festival Celebration" kicked off. Roughly 400 guests – ranging from diplomats and business leaders to students and overseas Chinese – gathered to share a slice of the moon, quite literally, under the glow of a thousand paper moons.

Hosted jointly by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the Information Office of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government, and organised by the Western China International Communication Organization (WCICO), the event stretched over two days. It wasn’t just a pretty show; there were seven themed exhibitions, city‑branding booths, and a smorgasbord of performances that tried to capture the spirit of both Manila and Chongqing.

"For a thousand years, the Maritime Silk Road has carried not only silk and spices but also ideas, art and friendship," said Zhou Zhiyong, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy. He added, with a smile, that a simple dish or a friendly nod can tighten the bond between the two peoples.

Maria Christina G. Aquino, Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism, couldn't hide her delight when she tasted the mooncakes on offer. "I’ve already sampled a few, and they’re all delicious," she laughed, pointing out that China now ranks as the Philippines’ fourth‑largest source of tourists, with nearly 320,000 Chinese arrivals recorded just days earlier.

Wu Changfan, Deputy Director‑General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, highlighted that the festival turned an online “May encounter” into a real‑world gathering. He expressed hope for deeper cooperation in tourism, trade and people‑to‑people exchanges, inviting more Filipino friends to experience what he described as "Majestic Landscapes, Dynamic Chongqing."

The crowds swelled around booths showcasing intangible heritage, study opportunities in Chongqing, traditional snacks and, surprisingly to some, the latest in new‑energy vehicles. One of the highlights was the "China, An Opportunity: Chongqing Brands" conference, where Zhang Li of the CPC Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Committee talked up everything from electric cars to HIFU medical tech already benefitting patients in the Philippines.

Partnerships were inked on the spot: Happyyou International Travel signed a deal with Philippine tourism groups, while Southwest University, Changan Automobile and Air China presented concrete avenues for study exchanges, automotive collaboration and direct‑flight routes.

All in all, the festival served as a tangible bridge, echoing the earlier "Flying Across Mountains and Seas" twin‑city campaign from May. It reminded everyone that beyond the lanterns and mooncakes, there’s a growing desire to explore common ground in culture, education, industry and, of course, the love of a good night sky.