Remarks of DR. ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Secretary of Foreign Affairs  

in honor of  

His Excellency Li Jinjun
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 
of the People’s Republic of China
18 May 2007

Your Excellency, Ambassador Li Jinjun;
Excellencies; Colleagues in the Department;
Friends; Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today we are drawn together in respect and admiration for a distinguished man and a true friend of the Philippines .

Ambassador Li Jinjun began his tour of duty in the Philippines 18 months ago. And in that short time, he has carved a reputation in the diplomatic circle as a man of action and of his word.

That reputation is well-deserved. Jinjun, in mandarin means “army marching forward.” And these words very well describe the relations between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China during Ambassador Li’s tenure.

Today the Philippines and China are closer than ever, enjoying a dynamic bilateral relationship and partnership in regional and global concerns.

Since the establishment of our formal diplomatic more than 30 years ago, the bond between Manila and Beijing has evolved from one of cordial exchanges to one of vibrant political and economic partnership.

It is important to note that, during Ambassador Li’s tour of duty, the pace of Philippine-China relations has accelerated towards what is now described as a partnership in its “golden age.”

Consider the following:

In Economic Cooperation

The People's Republic of China is now the Philippines ’ third largest trading partner and continues to be the fastest growing market for Philippine exports. Trade has grown since 2002 at an annual rate of 55%. Last year, bilateral trade hit a 33.6% increase.

Total approved Chinese investments in the Philippines for January to September 2006 amounted to US$370 million. This figure accounts for 11.7% of the total approved committed investments in the Philippines for the period. This is a significant improvement over the US$3.8 million Chinese investments in the Philippines in 2005.

On the other hand, Chinese Ministry of Commerce statistics place Philippine investments in China at US$542.69 million.

With the signing of the Framework Agreement on Expanding and Deepening Bilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation in January this year, we look forward to expanded cooperation on agriculture, fisheries, public works and infrastructure, housing, mining, energy and trade promotion.

On the South China Sea , our two countries, together with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, signed in March 2005 the Tripartite Agreement on Joint Seismic Marine Undertaking.

As Chairman Deng Xiaoping proposed to our Foreign Secretary in 1986, instead of a zone of conflict, let us transform the zone to an area of cooperation and development. It took from 1986 to 2005 – 20 years – before finally, in 2004 and in 2005, under President Arroyo and President Hu Jintao the dream of having an area of development and peace from an area of conflict became a reality.

The Wen Jiabao Visit

The visit of Premier Wen Jiabao in Manila after the ASEAN Summit in Cebu this year was a milestone in Philippines-China relations and a highlight during Ambassador Li’s tenure.

Held within two years of President Hu’s State Visit to Manila , Premier Wen’s visit underscored anew the importance accorded by China to its relations with the Philippines .

That visit also culminated in the signing of 30 bilateral agreements. Significant projects in infrastructure and capacity building will be undertaken as a result of these agreements, including a loan agreement for the Northrail Project Phase I, Section 2.

Through it all, Ambassador Li was a steadfast presence who helped move things forward for both our countries.

The President’s Visits to China

Ambassador Li was likewise a key figure in the success of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s visits to China for the China-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in Nanning in 2006 and the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference last month.

The President chaired the historic Summit , emphasizing the value of the partnership between ASEAN and China in the continued peace, progress and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. 

At Boao, the President’s brief visit provided a platform to champion sustained and equitable development in Asia and the world. It also provided a valuable opportunity to further strengthen Philippines-China partnership through the signing of five additional agreements in ICT, trade and infrastructure and the meeting with Party Chairman Wu Bangguo.

Global Partnership

The Philippines and China are also partners in numerous international fora. Cooperation between Manila and Beijing is growing at the UN General Assembly, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus 3, the ASEAN Regional Forum, the APEC and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), to which China has expressed its desire to participate.

China ’s active participation at the 11^th ASEAN Summit, the Related Summits and the 2md East Asia Summit in Cebu earlier this year moved forward our regional partnership, particularly on energy security and the strengthening of the emerging regional architecture.

At the APEC, China and the Philippines often find themselves on the same side, speaking for the developing countries and asking for more developmental aid to poor nations.

I believe the Philippines speaks for its regional allies when I say that we find the participation of China in the ASEAN Plus 3 process and the ASEAN Regional Forum very helpful and constructive.

And with the support of Ambassador Li, partnerships in these fora were further reinforced

We have called this era in our relations “The Golden Age” for good reasons. Political understanding between the countries has vastly strengthened. Trade and investment opportunities have increased. Cultural exchanges and people-to-people programs are getting better.

With the opening of the Chinese Consulate in Laoag under Ambassador Li’s tenure, we are looking forward to broader opportunities for both our peoples to learn from each other through intensified exchanges.

People, certainly, provide the momentum to the forward-moving relations between our nations. And exemplary individuals like Ambassador Li have certainly earned their rightful place in the shared history of the Philippines and China .

Indeed, Ambassador Li has – true to his name – given renewed impetus to Philippines-China relations. By nurturing and growing his relations with people, he has helped move Philippines-China ties to a higher level. This legacy as true friend will forever be remembered. 

As we congratulate you on your well-deserved promotion to Vice Minister of the Liaison Department, we wish you continued success. We are confident that we will continue to reap the fruits of your legacy in the years ahead.

As the ancient Chinese proverb says:

“If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees.

If you want one hundred years of prosperity, grow people.” This both our peoples continue to do.

May I now propose a toast:

• to the continued good health and success of our good friend, Ambassador Li Jinjun, and

• to the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and China .

Mabuhay!

/jay

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