Davao — The enduring partnership between Davao City and China’s Fujian province continues to evolve, as both regions actively seek to deepen cooperation in trade, tourism, and governance. Following years of a successful sister-city pact between Davao and Jinjiang City—a key hub in Fujian—local officials and Chinese counterparts are actively pursuing new opportunities to ensure these international linkages deliver concrete benefits for the people of Davao.
A Renewed Commitment to Collaboration
Building on years of established ties, Davao City remains committed to an active international agenda that prioritizes mutual growth and exchange. In January 2026, a delegation of city officials, led by acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II, conducted a five-day official visit to Fujian. The mission aimed to exchange governance best practices and identify new avenues for cooperation in critical sectors such as technology, agriculture, and tourism. This visit reflects Davao City’s ongoing strategy to maintain robust international partnerships, ensuring that its sister-city agreements remain functional, dynamic, and aligned with the city’s long-term development agenda.
Tourism as a Bridge for Mutual Understanding
Tourism continues to serve as a vital pillar in the relationship between the two regions, bolstered by a broader national effort to revitalize cultural and economic exchanges. As the Philippines aggressively works to attract more travelers from China, Fujian province has also been scaling up its own efforts to promote its cultural and tourism economy, positioning itself as a world-renowned destination. For Davao, the sister-city framework provides a unique platform to facilitate these exchanges, helping to increase visitor interest and foster people-to-people connections that transcend geographical boundaries. These efforts are supported by the ongoing operations of the Chinese Consulate General in Davao, which continues to engage with local government leaders and community councils to sustain this positive momentum.
Beyond the "Pro-China" Label: A Focus on Concrete Results
In the face of evolving geopolitical landscapes, Davao City leadership has maintained that its international partnerships are based on pragmatism, mutual benefit, and peaceful cooperation. Local officials, including the Committee on International Relations, have emphasized that these agreements are not political statements but strategic tools designed to bring tangible improvements to the city's economy and infrastructure. By focusing on concrete outcomes—such as the recent approval of sisterhood pacts with other Chinese hubs like Dalian—Davao continues to demonstrate its role as a proactive participant in global diplomacy. This approach ensures that the partnership with Fujian and other sister cities remains a productive, transparent, and resilient component of the city's growth strategy.
