Hainan in talks with Cebu to open Hainan-Cebu direct flights

The Vice Governor of China's Hainan province is considering the possibility of opening a direct flight from his province to Cebu in a manifest effort to further build stronger relations between the two sister provinces.

Hainan Vice-Governor Chen Cheng met with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia recently and among the major topics both provincial executives discussed at length was the possibility of opening direct flights that will connect both provinces in order to further strengthen relations, particularly in the fields of business, tourism, and agriculture.

Cheng, who visited Garcia recently to demonstrate his province's interest to strengthen its sisterhood ties, accepted Garcia's invitation to have direct flights and suggested a China-Korea-Japan-Philippines route.

The Aquino administration’s desire for the adoption of an open skies policy in the Philippines was intimated by Garcia to her visitor from China.

In response, Cheng told the Governor that in China, particularly in Hainan, an “open aviation policy” is being implemented.

Garcia said she would like to reciprocate Cheng’s visit to Cebu by making a trip to Hainan to discuss, among other subjects of mutual interest, the possibility of sealing an agreement with Cheng and other pertinent Hainan officials on said direct Hainan-Cebu flight, and stressed that the Chinese provincial official’s visit affirms the fact that both provinces “treasure their existing relationship” and that it is a way “to further further the bonds” that have already been established.”

Others who were present during Cheng’s courtesy call to Garcia were Vice-Governor Agnes Magpale and Cebu provincial board members.