CEBU, Philippines – Two high-ranking Chinese officials together with members of the Chinese Parliament dropped by Cebu last Thursday prior to their respective appointments in Manila.

Jiang Shusheng, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, together with the 19-member Chinese parliament was honored with a lunch reception by the Cebu Provincial Government during their visit yesterday.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said Cebu has been a close friend with China as the province has signed up sisterhood agreements with several Chinese provinces.

Jiang was invited by the House of Representatives and Cebu was among the places that the Chinese Parliament members opted to visit while in the country.

China's Defense Minister Liang Guanglie also arrived in Cebu along with his team following a meeting in Manila. Liang was likewise given a dinner reception by the Cebu Provincial Government.

Liang's four-day visit comes amid renewed tensions in the disputed Spratly Islands, which are contested by China, the Philippines and four other nations.

Washington has expressed concerns that the disputes could hamper access to one of the world's busiest commercial sea lanes.

Despite the tragic bus hostage incident at the Quirino Grandstand in August 2010 which claimed the lives of eight Hong Kong Chinese tourists and which has earned the ire of the Chinese government, Chinese officials still chose to come to the Philippines and drop by Cebu for a visit.