Domingo Lee, Cesar Zalamea as PHL special envoys to China

After being bypassed thrice by the Commission on Appointments, President Benigno Aquino III tapped Domingo Lee as Philippine special envoy to China, but only for six months.   Lee would focus on bilateral concerns in tourism and culture. His appointment papers were signed on May 10.   He was tasked to promote the 2012-2013 Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges, persuade “greater numbers” of Chinese tourists to visit the Philippines, and explore other areas “promoting friendship and goodwill” between the two countries through enhanced cooperation in culture and the arts and establishing more people-to-people exchanges.   The President also appointed former Development Bank of the Philippines chairman Cesar Zalamea as special envoy to China on investments, also for six months.   Zalamea’s task is to increase Chinese investment and business contacts.   He is expected to seek potential Chinese investors for the Aquino administration’s public private partnership program for key infrastructure projects.   Last month, Lee asked the President to withdraw his nomination as Philippine ambassador to China after failing to hurdle the CA.   Aquino is interviewing other candidates from a shortlist given to him by the Department of Foreign Affairs.   He wanted “somebody who understands the nuances of Chinese culture, how their system works, has developed contacts left and right to be able to reach the opinion makers and those whose opinions really matter.”   He said he nominated Lee for the same qualifications.   “’Yung kay Ambassador Lee kasi somebody who is prominent in the Chinese community, is Chinese or will know of the Chinese culture, knows how their system works and has established a lot of contacts. That was the reason why he’s nominated,” Aquino said in an earlier interview.   Zalamea was also tasked to encourage more Chinese investors to locate in the Philippines, particularly in the automobile industry, information and communications technology, tourism, infrastructure, mining, high value agribusiness, shipbuilding, power plants and renewable energy.   Zalamea previously headed the Manila Electric Co., Mining Co., AIG Global Investment Corp., and CV Starr Investment Advisors (Asia) Ltd. —VS, GMA News