New envoy to tighten Manila-Beijing links
CHINESE Ambassadordesignate to the Philippines Huang Xilian arrived in Manila on December 3, replacing longtime envoy Zhao Jianhua, who ended his five-year tour of duty.
As China’s new representative in Manila, Huang vowed to lead initiatives and programs that would effectively implement the recent agreements and consensus between President Duterte and President Xi Jinping of China.
“I’m designated by [our] president as the ambassador to promote friendship and to deepen our pragmatic cooperation,” the Chinese diplomat told reporters who covered his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. He said the Philippines and China have reached a “level of agreement of consensus.”
“For me, the most important task is to implement those agreements and turn them into tangible benefits for our people,” he said.
‘Best yet to come’
IN his speech, Huang made it apparent that his focus would also veer toward promoting the China-led Belt and Road Initiative in the country.
“China stands as the Philippines’s top trading partner, the largest source of imports, the third-largest export market and the second-largest tourist origin. The growth of China-Philippines relations, embodying common wishes of our people, have been generating more and more tangible benefits...and brought about a
CHINESE Ambassador-designate to the Philippines Huang Xilian
closer community of [a] shared future,” he noted.
Huang said, “the best is yet to come,” as 2020 is the conclusive year for China to complete building a “moderately prosperous society in all respects, and achieve its first centenary goal,” which coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Philippines diplomatic relations.
“I feel extremely honored to serve as the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines at such an important historical juncture, and will work wholeheartedly to promote ChinaPhilippines friendship and cooperation, living up to the significant mission entrusted upon me,” he remarked.
Huang has mostly been working on Asian affairs in his diplomatic career and had previously visited the Philippines, which he described as “a paradise on Earth.”
Prior to becoming China’s ambassador to the Asean—his most recent posting—Huang served as deputy director general of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Department of Asian Affairs.
‘Mutually beneficial cooperation’ MEANWHILE, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. has vowed to maintain closer coordination with Huang to further strengthen ties between Beijing and Manila.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila reported that both officials discussed the overall status of the Philippines-China relations “that continue to develop in-depth” under the current administration.
“The secretary reaffirmed that [he and] the Department of Foreign Affairs [DFA] would maintain close cooperation with Ambassador Huang and the Chinese Embassy… to consolidate the Philippines-China friendship and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation,” the embassy said.
“[Huang] pointed out that in recent years, the Philippines-China relationship has developed at a steady pace, [as] the two countries have continuously advanced their cooperation in various areas, [bringing] benefits to the two peoples,” the embassy statement read.
The Chinese envoy was received by protocol officials from the DFA, officials from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and representatives from the local Chinese communities. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA
THE Philippines and Austria successfully held their inaugural political consultations in Manila on November 28. The meeting, cochaired by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Director General for Bilateral Affairs and Political Director Alexander Marschik, also saw the participation of
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Ma. Amelita C. Aquino, Philippine Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad and Ambassador of Austria to the Philippines Bita Rasoulian.
The two sides discussed the strengthening of their bilateral relations, and noted the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Austria diplomatic relations in 2021. They further exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of common interests.
In the course of their discussions, a number of areas for action, aimed at strengthening and enhancing the relationship, were identified.
Marschik extended an invitation to Manalo to visit Vienna for the next round of bilateral consultations. DFA
DAVAO CITY—Mindanao, and the rest of the Philippines in general, remain an “attractive market” for Malaysia.
Siti Azlina Mohd Ali Hanafiah, trade commissioner of Malaysia External Trade Development Corp. (Matrade), said their members are actively looking for sectors to do business and partner with local traders.
In the Malaysia-Philippines Business Forum in this Mindanao capital city, Hanafiah noted the island’s close proximity to Sabah and Sarawak, as well as its accessibility within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga).
“Since the island is within the framework of BIMP-Eaga, we should enhance more activities in Mindanao,” Hanafiah said.
She stated that as of November 19, they have already conducted cluster meetings in various sectors and explored opportunities in food
and beverages, cosmetic products, information and communications technology services, construction and building materials, as well as logistics.
“We are still in the initial stage, but we will conduct a series of discussions and meetings with prospective partners,” the trade official revealed.
She also added that they are looking at raw materials on agricultural produce and minerals that they can further manufacture in Malaysia.
Potential and opportunity HANAFIAH also noted that the Philippines has a huge potential in the domestic market as it has about 109 million in population, compared to Malaysia’s 32 million.
“With this big opportunity, we encourage Malaysian companies to go out and explore the Asean markets. The Philippines is one interesting market, rather than Indonesia and Vietnam, which have been exploited already,” she said.
Malaysia’s exports to the Philippines consists largely of electrical and electronic products, palm oil and palm-based agriculture products, chemicals and chemical products, petroleum products and machinery, as well as equipment and parts.
She said the Malaysian economy has already transformed from agriculture to manufacturing.