President Bongbong Marcos told China’s newly designated ambassador that he expects closer cooperation and better management of disputes as both countries navigate a tense and complicated relationship.
In a ceremony at Malacañang Palace, Marcos received the credentials of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan and Chilean Ambassador Felipe Alejandro Diaz Ibañez. Marcos said he looks forward to addressing differences between Manila and Beijing while expanding areas of partnership.
“I’m sure that there will be many opportunities for us to make the relationship between our two countries stronger, deeper and more important as the years go by,” Marcos told Jing, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office.
The President said he intends to work directly with the envoy to handle points of friction and build on areas where cooperation can advance. “I look forward to working with you in managing the differences and intensifying the cooperation between our two countries. Our differences should be the exception in our ties rather than the norm,” Marcos added.
Jing replaced Huang Xilian, who completed his six year diplomatic mission in September.
During the same ceremony, Marcos welcomed Diaz back to the Philippines after his previous posting as consul at the Embassy of Chile from 2003 to 2008. Marcos said the envoy’s return strengthens an already established partnership.
“We are happy that an old friend of the Philippines has returned and the long and very fine relationship between our two countries will continue, and we would continue to promote an even longer and even closer relationship between our two countries,” Marcos told Diaz.
The presentation of credentials formally begins an ambassador’s tenure and signals a commitment to maintain bilateral engagement and international cooperation.
The Philippines established diplomatic relations with Chile in 1946 and with China in 1975.
