Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian thanked outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte for his great contributions to strengthening China and Philippines relations, saying he hoped the Filipino leader would continue to support the two nations’ friendship beyond his term.
In his recent visit to the President, Huang lauded Duterte’s “great contributions” to China and Philippines relations, which were dramatically strengthened under his six-year term which ends on June 30.
The Chinese envoy also conveyed hopes that Duterte would continue the “friendship” he was able to forge during his time as president.
“I wish him every success and expect his continuous support to China-Philippines friendship,” Huang said, in a statement.
Huang was among the other ambassadors that met with President Duterte on May 25.
“I extended my gratitude to President Duterte for his great contributions to the development of China-Philippines relationship in the past six years,” Huang said.
“I also showed my sincere respect to him for adhering to an independent foreign policy,” the Chinese ambassador added.
During Duterte administration, the Philippines and China established a comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship, have deepened the ties between the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the plan of “Build, Build, Build,” and jointly promoted cooperation in significant programs such as infrastructure construction, with bilateral trade volume doubled during the period.
Meanwhile, President Duterte’s daughter Sara will be sworn in as the country’s 15th vice president on June 19, 11 days before President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. takes his oath on June 30, but Malacañang has yet to confirm whether Duterte would attend his daughter’s oath-taking.
“We have to wait for the announcement coming from my colleagues, (Presidential Communications Operations Office) Usec. Mia Reyes and Asec. Jun Loyola, if the President will be able to attend the inauguration of the incoming Vice President,” acting deputy presidential spokesperson Kris Ablan told a Palace briefing.
Sara is set to have her inauguration in Davao City, where she is the outgoing mayor.
Sara’s family members—her mother, her husband, children, siblings—were not present when Congress formally declared her the winner of the 2022 vice presidential race on Wednesday.
While the proclamation ceremony was taking place, President Duterte was accepting the credentials of four ambassadors at the presidential
palace.
This was in contrast to the image when Marcos was proclaimed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, surrounded by his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, sisters Sen. Imee Marcos, Irene Marcos-Araneta, son Simon, and first cousin House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez.