Outgoing Chinese envoy bids farewell

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese envoy who stirred controversy for allegedly bullying the Philippines’ military chief and for issuing a widely criticized statement about Filipino workers in Taiwan yesterday bid farewell to President Marcos as he ended his tour of duty in the country.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian paid his farewell call on Marcos at Malacañang as Manila and Beijing continued to be embroiled in a dispute over parts of the strategic and resource-rich South China Sea.

Marcos mentioned the longstanding maritime row in his message to the outgoing envoy who was assigned to the Philippines in 2019.

“It’s unfortunate we didn’t make much progress (on) the difficulties that we have in the South China Sea, West Philippine Sea. But I think, considering how difficult the situation was... we have managed to keep things at least away from too (many problems),” the President told Huang.

Despite the issues that surrounded Huang’s tour of duty, which lasted five years and 10 months, Marcos had kind words for the ambassador.

“We will miss you... I think you have made a very good second home already here in Manila,” Marcos said. “Thank you for your service.”

Huang drew flak in August 2023 for telling the Philippines to “unequivocally oppose” Taiwan’s independence if it genuinely cares about the 150,000 overseas Filipino workers in the island. Several groups said the envoy made it appear that China was holding Filipino workers in Taiwan hostage, but the Chinese embassy claimed his statement was taken out of context.

A few months later, calls mounted to expel Huang from the Philippines over his supposed “bullying” of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and for allegedly increasing the tensions in the South China Sea.

In a reception of the Chinese embassy last night that also served as a farewell for Huang, he renewed his appeal for “cooperation, not confrontation” between the two countries, saying it is “not a zero-sum game.”

First Lady Liza Marcos attended the event, while Speaker Faustino Dy III sent a message.

In a media interview in Tokyo in the same month, Marcos said Huang was just doing his job as ambassador, although he would have preferred a less confrontational approach to the South China Sea dispute.

“He is the ambassador of China so he will always take the Chinese position. Again, if it is about me, maybe I’ll be upset,” the President said. “But you are not talking about me. You are talking about the Philippines. It does not serve any purpose for us to lose our temper or overreact.”

Maritime safety, security

Meanwhile, the Philippines urged nations to call out actions that undermine maritime safety and security and violate international laws.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, co-chair of a Foreign Ministerial Meeting on “Reinforcing Cooperation to Achieve a Secure and Stable Maritime Domain,” made the call on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 24.

Forty countries participated in the meeting, which the Philippines co-hosted with Australia, Estonia, Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, Romania, United Kingdom and United States.

Amid increasing illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions – especially those that risk the lives of seafarers, compromise the safety of vessels and aircraft, and impede the inherent rights of fisherfolk to fish – Lazaro said international cooperation, guided by international law, illuminates the way forward.

“It highlights the urgent need to reinforce and adhere to the body of legal instruments, rules and norms that govern the maritime domain – foremost of which is UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). We reaffirm our commitment to abide by its principles, preserve its integrity and identify its various applications,” Lazaro said.

Lazaro underscored the importance of peaceful resolution of maritime disputes and urged respect to and adherence of legally binding decisions of relevant international courts and tribunals, including the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

“Let us continue our dialogue on various maritime issues and call out actions that undermine maritime safety and security and violate international law, particularly UNCLOS,” she added.

With the current challenges in ensuring a secure and stable maritime domain, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York said there was renewed commitment to multilateralism and the shared stewardship of the world’s oceans.

International law, cooperation across shared maritime issues, such as the protection of the marine environment, ensuring freedom of navigation and commerce, facilitating global connectivity and securing critical underwater infrastructure were emphasized during the meeting. – Pia Lee-Brago