President Rodrigo Duterte thanked outgoing Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua for his contributions in forging stronger ties between the Philippines and China.
President Duterte also said he hopes Zhao’s successor would be as good, if not better than him, according to a press statement from Malacañang.
Duterte met Zhao on Monday in a Palace farewell call, wishing him good luck on his next assignment.
Ambassador Zhao became China’s envoy to the Philippines in 2014.
Prior to his appointment to the country, he was the ambassador of China to the Republic of Liberia from 2010 to 2013.
Born in December 1965, the 53-year-old ambassador holds a Master’s Degree in World Economy from Nankai University and a Master’s Degree in International Policy and Practice from Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.