Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong held a bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) meeting on the South China Sea with Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro in Beijing on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
At the meeting, the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the maritime issues between China and the Philippines, in particular the question of the Xianbin Jiao (Reef) in the South China Sea. The Chinese side reiterated its principled position on the question of the Xianbin Jiao and urged the Philippine side to immediately withdraw there relevant vessels there.
China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty and the seriousness and effectiveness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). The two sides agreed to continue to maintain communication through diplomatic channels including the BCM, the statement said.
China, Philippines hold meeting of Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on South China Sea
Bakers in San Francisco's Chinatown have been adding some new twists to traditional Chinese mooncakes to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept 17 this year.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the night when the moon reaches its fullest and brightest on the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar. Sharing mooncakes, a classic Chinese baked pastry that symbolizes family reunions during the harvest season, with loved ones is an important part of the festival celebrations.
The iCake Bakery in the heart of the city's Chinatown is especially busy at this time of year. This year, the bakery owner Hannah Zhang invited Judy Lee, the vice president of the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce, to make mooncakes.
"So we have here a black sesame filling. It's one of the most unique flavors we have at iCafe. And now we're going to put in an egg yolk," said Lee, translating for Zhang.
Just around the corner at the AA Cafe, owner Henry Chen has also been experimenting with some new twists on the classic treat.
"We have a lot of different [flavors], like the date, melon, pineapple, strawberry, mango and seasoned nuts," said Chen.
Visitors to San Francisco's Chinatown can find all sorts of mooncakes, especially in the months leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival. Whether it is a traditional or modern variety, it is a way to connect with a tradition that stretches back more than a thousand years and to remind people what the historic Chinatown community has to offer.
"In the spirit of the Moon Festival, it gives us another reason to gather with our friends and family to attract people who've never been to San Francisco's Chinatown and see why there's so much preservation here. It is the oldest Chinatown in the nation still," said Lee.
Bakers in San Francisco offer new treats for mooncake lovers for Mid-Autumn Festival
