IPINIHAYAG ni Senator Alan Peter Cayetano nitong Miyerkules ang kanyang malalim na pasasalamat sa Hong Kong sa mahalagang papel nito bilang katuwang ng Pilipinas sa pag-unlad, lalo na sa isang mundong mabilis ang pagbabago.
“There are many conflicts around the world, but somehow in this part of the world, we found a way to be one family,” wika ni Cayetano sa kanyang talumpati sa pagdiriwang ng 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, na inorganisa ng Consulate General of the Philippines sa Hong Kong nitong June 12, 2024.
Ginamit ng senador ang tinatawag niyang “3 Rs” upang ilarawan ang relasyon ng Pilipinas at Hong Kong – Resilient, Relevant, and Reliable.
“If you ask me to describe our relationship with Hong Kong in particular, and China in general, it is resilient. [There are] issues and problems [that we face], but we always find a way to become brothers and sisters again,” wika niya.
Ipinaliwanag din niya kung paano nananatiling “relevant” at “reliable” ang dalawang bansa sa isa’t isa, lalo na sa mga panahon ng pangangailangan.
“Whatever the problems are, [such as] economics, transportation, [and] the pandemic, we find a way to be relevant to each other,” wika niya.
“When you need us, we will be there for you, and when we need you, you’re always there for us,” dagdag niya.
Sa pagtatapos ng kanyang talumpati, pinasalamatan ni Cayetano si Paul Chan Mo-po, ang Financial Secretary ng Hong Kong, at nanawagan ng patuloy na pakikipagtulungan upang mapanatili ang matatag na relasyon ng dalawang rehiyon.
“Thank you for the hospitality and the kindness you’re showing the Filipino people,” wika niya.
“As you celebrate with us, you know the world is changing quite fast, but as long as we continue to be reliable, we continue to be relevant, and we continue to be resilient members of one family, we will continue our record,” dagdag niya.
