Supreme Court E-Library
Information At Your Fingertips

January 15, 2007

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Republic of the Philippines and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of the People's Republic of China hereinafter referred to as Contracting Parties;

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

AWARE of the need to strengthen cooperation and exchange between the two countries in the field of cultural heritage protection and management;

RECALLING that the two countries have ratified the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, this was done in Paris on 17 October 2003;

RECOGNIZING their common interest to establish greater cooperation in the protection of their cultural heritage;

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1

The Contracting Parties shall take the necessary measures in accordance with their existing laws and national policies, to coordinate their efforts to protect and manage their cultural heritage.

ARTICLE 2

The Contracting Parties shall exchange information on their efforts to promote the sustainable development, protection and management of their cultural heritage. They shall likewise promote and encourage the participation of private institutions that are experts in the field of cultural heritage management and protection.

ARTICLE 3

In order to further strengthen the protection of their world heritage sites, the Contracting Parties shall consider the conduct of joint scientific researches on conservation techniques.

ARTICLE 4

Subject to their respective laws and regulations, the Contracting Parties shall jointly collaborate in the conduct of surveys and researches on important cultural remains within their territories.

ARTICLE 5

To further promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding in the diversity of cultural heritage between them, the Contracting Parties shall jointly explore possibilities of exhibitions of their cultural relics in the territory of the other Contracting Party. Details on these exhibitions shall be discussed separately and embodied in implementing arrangements to be concluded between them.

ARTICLE 6

A Joint Commission shall be established in order to oversee the implementation of this Agreement. The Joint Commission shall be composed of equal number of members from the Contracting Parties. Each Contracting Party shall designate one Chairperson for the Commission as Head of their delegation. The members shall be determined after the entry into force of the Agreement, upon consultations through diplomatic channels.

For the purpose of this Agreement, the following are hereby designated as Implementing Agencies:

1. For Republic of the Philippines, the international Affairs Office of the National Commission for Culture and Arts.

2. For the People's Republic of China, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage

ARTICLE 7

Both parties shall discuss and agree upon the financial arrangements necessary to cover the expenses for the implementation of the cooperative activities under this Agreement through consultation, preferably under the Joint Commission overseeing the Agreement's implementation. The sources of funds for the activities will be jointly determined by the Parties.

ARTICLE 8

Either Contracting Party may request in writing, through diplomatic channels, a revision or amendment of this Agreement. Any revision or amendment agreed upon by the Contracting Parties shall become effective in accordance with Article 10.

ARTICLE 9

Any dispute arising from the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be mutually settled by the Parties through consultations and negotiations through diplomatic channels.

ARTICLE 10

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the later written notification by the Contracting Parties .through diplomatic channels, indicating compliance with their respective internal requirements for its entry into force. This Agreement shall thereafter remain in full force and effect unless terminated by either Contracting Party by giving a written notice, through diplomatic channels, six ( 6 ) months prior to the intended date of termination. Unless otherwise agreed, the termination of this Agreement shall not prejudice the completion of ongoing programs and projects.

DONE in duplicate in Manila on 15 January, 2007 in the English and Chinese languages, both texts being equally authentic.

For the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Republic of the Philippines

For the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, People's Republic of China