PNoy accepts credentials of new Chinese envoy, hopes to ‘move forward’ with China

(Updated 3:58 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday finally received the credentials of newly-installed Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, almost two months after he arrived in the Philippines.

Zhao, together with his delegation, was greeted by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario upon arriving at the Palace on Tuesday around 11 a.m. 

He then presented his credentials to the President, a customary practice for diplomats.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the two talked for around 15 minutes after the photo opportunity.

"I'm told it went well," she said during a press conference on Tuesday.

"I’m told that the atmosphere was very cordial during the 15 minutes that the President had conversed with the new ambassador," she added.

The Palace official said both sides "reaffirmed" their commitment to "move forward" with other facets of their relationships.

"Both sides agreed that the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea is not the totality of our relationship with our neighbor," she said, mentioning trade, tourism, and transnational crimes. 

Aside from this, Valte said Aquino also thanked China for its support for typhoon victims and extended an invitation for it to attend the World Economic Forum, which is being hosted by the Philippines in May.

Delay?

Asked about the apparent delay in Zhao's presentation of credentials, Valte said there is no reason to "put any meaning as to [the] lapse of time."

"It has been a busy month for the President and sometimes it is just a matter of scheduling," she said.

Zhao's appointment came as the Philippines submitted the memorial or formal pleading to a United Nations tribunal hearing the case seeking to invalidate Beijing's claim over the West Philippine Sea.
  
Aside from Zhao, the following envoys also presented their credentials to the President on Tuesday:

• Ambassador Lalduthlana Ralte (India)
• Ambassador Munther Mahfood Al-Mantheri (Oman)
• Ambassador Esra Cancorur (Turkey)
• Ambassador Johny Lumintang (Indonesia)
• Ambassador Thomas Ossowski (Germany)