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September 11, 2002

DESIRING to strengthen the friendly relations and mutual understanding existing between the two countries;

AWARE that tourism, on account of its socio-cultural and economic dynamism, is an excellent instrument to promote goodwill and to enhance the relations between them;

RECALLING that both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People’s Republic of China have encouraged travel and tourism between their peoples for the purpose of study, cultural exchange, recreation, business, and congresses and conventions pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation signed by both Parties in Manila on 21 April 1989, the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation signed by both Parties in Beijing on 10 May 1990, and its implementing Protocol for 1993-1994 signed on 26 April 1993; and,

RECOGNIZING their common interest to establish greater cooperation in tourism exchange of equality and mutual benefit;

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE I

Both Parties shall take necessary measures to enhance friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries, so as to promote mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Both Parties shall encourage communications between their tourism departments to promote understanding between the counterpart officials and exchange views concerning the sustainable development of bilateral tourism cooperation.

ARTICLE III

Both Parties shall endeavor to assist tour operators from either side in fostering mutually – beneficial links with their counterparts and in obtaining information necessary to enhance travel and tourism service between the two countries.

ARTICLE IV

Both Parties shall strengthen existing channels for two-way consultation and working cooperation by encouraging the reciprocal establishment of tourism offices in each other’s territories.

ARTICLE V

Both Parties shall support efforts by either side to enhance public information and tourism promotion activities in each other’s territories, including the exchange of visits of media practitioners and travel operators.

ARTICLE VI

Both parties shall encourage exchange on promotion programs between their tourism departments, involving cooperation on advertising, development of tour packages, production and exchange of brochures and other collateral materials. Corollarily, both parties shall encourage their local governments to undertake twinning programs which involve tourism cooperation.

ARTICLE VII

Both Parties shall encourage tourists from third countries to extend their travel to each other’s territory, and shall provide appropriate assistance to them.

ARTICLE VIII

Both Parties shall encourage the investment in tourism infrastructure in each other’s territories.

ARTICLE IX

Both Parties shall facilitate the establishment of a dialogue mechanism on the date agreed by Both Parties, for the exchange of views on matters related to tourism cooperation and to follow through the implementation of the spirit of this Memorandum of Understanding. Responsible offices will be identified and tasked to coordinate for this purpose.

ARTICLE X

1. The Government of the Republic of the Philippines designates the Department of Tourism as the agency responsible for the enforcement of its rights and the implementation of its obligations under this Memorandum of Understanding.

2. The Government of the People’s Republic of China designates the China National Tourism Administration as the agency responsible for the enforcement of its rights and the implementation of its obligations under this Memorandum of Understanding.

ARTICLE XI

Any dispute arising from the interpretation, application or implementation of this Memorandum of understanding shall be settled amicably by consultation or negotiation between the Parties.

ARTICLE XII

1. This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the date of the later written notification by either Party, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the internal legal requirements for its entry into force have been complied.

2. Any amendment to or revision of the text of this Memorandum of Understanding shall be done by mutual consent of the Parties. The amendment or revision shall enter into force in accordance with the preceding paragraph.

3. This Memorandum of Understanding shall remain valid for a period of five (5) years and shall be automatically renewed for similar periods unless either Party serves a written notification to the other, through diplomatic channels, of its intention to terminate this Memorandum of Understanding six (6) months prior to its expiration.

4. The termination of this Memorandum of Understanding shall not affect the implementation of ongoing programs and activities which have been agreed upon while the Memorandum of Understanding was in force.

SIGNED in Beijing on September 11, 2002. Done in duplicate in Chinese and English, both versions being equally authentic.