World’s largest Chinatown arch unveiled in Manila

Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada (center) and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua (right) lead the unveiling of the new Chinatown Friendship Arch at the foot of Jones Bridge in Binondo, Manila on Tuesday (June 23, 2015). The arch, which is 63.8 feet in height and 74 feet in width, is the tallest and largest such arch in the world outside of China. Before its construction, the Chinese Friendship Arch in Washington, D.C, with a height of 60 feet and width of 74 feet, was the biggest. The arch was constructed without a single peso coming from the city government of Manila. It was funded by donation from businessmen in the People’s Republic of China and solicited by the Philippine-Chinese Amity Club. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA — The world’s largest Chinatown arch was unveiled yesterday at the foot of Jones Bridge, adding to the numerous attractions in the historical city of Manila.

The arch stands at 63.8 feet high and 74 feet wide and was constructed at a cost of P28 million.

The new attraction, which surpassed Washington’s Chinese friendship arch (60 feet tall and 74 feet wide), was funded by businessmen in China and solicited by the Philippine-Chinese Amity Club.

District 3 Councilor Bernardito Ang, vice chairman of the Manila Chinatown Development Council also spearheaded the solicitation of funds for the project.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua led the unveiling of the arch yesterday.

Despite the project being funded by the private sector, Estrada said that the new friendship gate is part of the city government’s effort to restore Chinatown.