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February 14, 2003

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, hereinafter referred to as the Governments,

DESIRING to promote and strengthen cooperation in the fields of culture, the arts and education,

BELIEVING that such cooperation will contribute to the furtherance of mutual awareness, respect, understanding and friendship between their peoples,

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE I

The Governments will promote the development of mutually beneficial relations in the fields of culture, the arts and education.

ARTICLE II

The Governments will endeavor to improve mutual knowledge of each other's culture and will endeavor, to the extent possible, to facilitate mutual understanding and exchanges in the fields of culture, the arts and education.

ARTICLE III

1. To this end, each Government will endeavor, within the framework of applicable laws, rules and regulations and under conditions to be mutually decided, to facilitate and promote cultural, artistic, educational and sporting activities and exchanges between their people and institutions.

2. "Institutions" within the meaning of Article lll.1 include both governmental and non-governmental cultural, artistic, educational, and sporting entities.

3. The Governments will endeavor to a.) encourage performance and participation in the arts and cultural events; b.) promote exchanges of students or scholars and professors between educational institutions; and c.) encourage participation, where possible, in sporting events.

ARTICLE IV

The cooperative activities to be carried out under this Memorandum of Understanding will be subject to the availability of funds and resources of the Governments. Each Government will nevertheless endeavor to provide resources adequate to carry out its own commitments in relation to those activities.

ARTICLE V

The Governments will settle any differences arising from the implementation of the present Memorandum of Understanding through negotiations.

ARTICLE VI

This Memorandum of Understanding shall come into effect on the date of the later written notification by the Governments that their internal formalities have been completed, and shall be valid for a period of three (3) years, renewable automatically for successive periods of three (3) years unless either of the Governments requests termination by serving a written notice to the other Government six (6) months prior to the intended date of termination.

ARTICLE VII

Any amendment or revision to the text on this Memorandum of Understanding shall be done by mutual consent of the Governments. This amendment or revision will come into effect in accordance with the procedures on coming into effect.

ARTICLE VIII

1. Any dispute between the Governments arising out of the interpretation or implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding will be settled by consultation or negotiations.

2. Done in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China on 14 February 2003 in duplicate.

Entry into Force: September 11, 2003