A picturesque seaside view in Cebu city, the Philippines [Photo/VCG]

Edgardo Labella, mayor of Cebu in the Philippines, recently announced plans to rename a street near the North Reclamation Area as Xiamen Street. 

He was hoping the ordinance will be passed in time for the arrival of a delegation of Xiamen officials visiting the city on Oct 28. 

Labella said Xiamen has already named one of its streets after Cebu more than 10 years ago and it is time for Cebu to "return the gesture". 

The mayor was fresh from a five-day trip to Xiamen, who has attended the 2019 China International Fair for Investment & Trade, the largest of its kind in China every year highlighting domestic and international commercial exchanges. Delegates met with Xiamen Mayor Zhuang Jiahan to share ideas on furthering the two cities' common fields in business, trade, tourism and education. 

"We are a service-oriented city. For our tourists, Cebu is like the springboard to many other domestic cities," said Labella, adding that many Chinese investors have expressed great interest in visiting Cebu. 

Xiamen, a coastal city in East China, formed a sisterhood with Cebu in 1984 to promote cultural and commercial ties. The Philippines also has a consulate located in Xiamen. Xiamen Airlines opened a direct flight to Cebu in March 2016.