Shooting won’t affect trade ties with China

CEBU, Philippines - Business leaders in Cebu believe that the recent shooting incident involving Chinese consular officials will not affect the trade relations between China and Cebu. 

“The incident (obviously) has no impact on trade relation between us and China, since the shooting is internal affairs of China,” said former Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Robert Go.

 Go, the current president of the Philippine Retailers Association, said that what happened was purely an “internal issue” and that any effects on the trade relations could be “out-of-context.”

“There is diplomatic immunity where the Philippine law can apply to criminal activity. But since it is between diplomats, then the law of China applies,” said Go.

  Philip Tan, past president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also said that such criminal incident cannot affect the economy, much more the existing strong trade relations between the Philippines and China.

 “Our relationship between our country and China will remain strong, as the incident is isolated and is internal,” Tan told The Freeman yesterday.

Deputy Consul General Sun Shan and finance officer Hui Li were killed Wednesday allegedly by Chinese couple Li Qing Liang and Gou Jing while in the middle of the birthday celebration of Consul General Song Ronghua at the Lighthouse Restaurant.

One of the suspects is also a Chinese consul.

Ronghua was also injured during the incident and is currently recuperating in a private hospital while the suspects are expected to be turned over to the Chinese authorities.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale admitted the incident may have impinged Cebu’s image as tourist destination but will not affect its relation with China.

Magpale chairs the Provincial Board’s committee on tourism and international affairs.

She said authorities should look into the security measures implemented in the establishment where the crime happened. The Capitol official is wondering why the suspects were able to bring gun inside the restaurant.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, on the other hand, is set to meet with the city police officials to ask for an update in the investigation.

Labella said a thorough investigation should be conducted to determine the motive. However, the top police officials in the region have decided to turn over the investigation to the Chinese authorities owing to the alleged diplomatic immunity of the suspects. — with Michael Vencynth H. Braga and May B. Miasco/FPL