7 July 2005 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo honored five former Ambassadors of the People’s Republic of China (PROC) to the Philippines and five former Philippine Ambassadors to China for being the “hands and minds” that brought RP-China bilateral relations into a “golden age of partnership.”

At a luncheon he hosted at the Skytop of the Manila Inter-Continental Hotel in honor of the Filipino and Chinese envoys, Secretary Romulo said that he was “honored to be in the distinguished company of diplomats who nurtured Philippines-China relations in the past thirty years through its challenges and promise.”  (Please refer to the separate press release for the remarks of Secretary Romulo).

Secretary Romulo credited the Ambassadors for their collective efforts in greatly increasing trade volume between the Philippines and China; fostering greater cultural, agricultural, scientific and technological cooperation; convening security dialogues and pushing for cooperation as an approach to the South China Sea issue.
The five former Chinese ambassadors to the Philippines were led by Ambassador Wang Yifan, China’s ambassador in Manila from 1988 to 1990, and later China’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PROC.  Ambassador Wang was accompanied by Chinese veteran diplomats who served Beijing’s top post in Manila between 1984 and 1999, namely Ambassadors Chen Songlu (1984 – 1988), Huang Guifang (1991 – 1995) and Guan Dengmin (1995 – 1999).  China’s first Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Ke Hua (1975-1978), was unable to attend the luncheon because of his advanced age.  He is 93 years old.

Secretary Romulo also honored the former Philippine envoys to China, namely, Ambassador Felipe H. Mabilangan (1989 – 1994),  Ambassador Romualdo Ong (1994 – 2000),  Ambassador Jose L. Villa (2000 – 2003), Ambassador Rafael Gonzales (1975-1976) who was the Philippines’ first Chargé d’Affaires in Beijing when the diplomatic mission opened in 1975, and Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco (1986-1988) who, however, was not at the luncheon as he was on a foreign trip.

Secretary Romulo emphasized the role the diplomats played as they “nurtured and strengthened the bonds (of friendship) in their respective posts in both countries” since formal ties were established with the signing of a joint communiqué in Beijing on 9 June 1975.   The Secretary said he expects bilateral relations between the Philippines and China “to improve and become stronger in the years and decades to come.”

Speaking on behalf of the Chinese delegation, Ambassador Wang Yifan commended the contributions of the “well-known and competent Filipino ambassadors to China,” and their “dedication and contribution” to the strong relationship between the Philippines and China.

Ambassador Wang likewise commended Manila’s decision to send to Beijing “not just a diplomat, but also a statesman” in the person of Ambassador-designate Teofisto Guingona, “who will be well-received by the Chinese government and the Chinese people.”

In closing, Ambassador Wang said he was “sure that with the foundation that we have made, the relations between our two countries will be stronger and stronger.”

Joining Secretary Romulo at the luncheon were the current Ambassador of China to the Philippines H. E. Wu Hongbo, Philippine Ambassador-designate to China Teofisto T. Guingona and the spouses of the Chinese and Filipino diplomats.

The exchange of visits of former Ambassadors is part of the year-long commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Philippines-China Diplomatic Relations.  END