DFA chief makes rare appearance at Chinese Embassy reception

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jianhua speaks to DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario. Michaela Del Callar

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday made a rare appearance at a Chinese Embassy reception celebrating the Lunar New Year, in a move seen to ease tensions between the two Asian neighbors embroiled in a longstanding territorial rifts over the South China Sea.

Despite escalating tensions with China over contested territories in the resource-rich waters, the Philippines says it has tried to segregate other aspects of the relationship and build more robust economic ties with Beijing.

"Good friends are celebrating their New Year so I dropped by," said Del Rosario in a chance interview.

He did not give any remarks that is customary in diplomatic functions but had a toast with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jianhua before guests comprised of diplomats, businesmen, journalists and government officials. Del Rosario also stayed for at least 30 minutes.

Toast for Chinese New Year with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jianhua and DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario @gmanews pic.twitter.com/DpQAK4KR1M

— Malou Talosig (@maloutalosig) February 2, 2016

Zhang welcomed Del Rosario  who came with his wife Gretchen and some senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs at the reception venue at Makati Shangri-la.

Del Rosario and Zhang held a brief exchange for several minutes before the reception officially started.

Relations between the two Asian neighbors plunged to its lowest when the Philippines sought arbitration in January 2013 to invalidate China’s massive claim over the resource-rich waters, including areas within the waters that fall under Manila’s territory.

Since then, Del Rosario has been hardly seen at functions hosted by the Chinese Embassy.

In his remarks, Zhang admitted that the relations between Manila and Beijing are going through a rough patch.

Chinese Am Zhang Jianhua cites Confucius: At age 40, one shld not be 'confused.' PH, China rels now 41 yrs @gmanews pic.twitter.com/rvkLTe6JjT

— Malou Talosig (@maloutalosig) February 2, 2016

"Despite the challenges and difficulties our overall relations remain stable and developing in 2015," Zhang said.

China, he said, remains one of the top trading partners of the Philippines and the last year seen a steady number of tourists coming to the Philippines.

"As Confucius said, at the age of 40 one should no longer be confused," Zhang said, referring to the ancient Chinese philosopher. "The relations between China and the Philippines have reached 41. China and the Philippines should not be confused with the current and temporary difficulties."

China, Zhang reiterated, is committed to peaceful settlement through dialogue and negotiation with the Philippines.

"We are close neighbors we can not turn away from each other. We are partners. We can benefit more if we can use the great potentials of the cooperation," he said.

"We are friends, sharing over a thousand years of friendship and amicable exchanges. We do have differences but we have one thing in common: we want it peacefully settled." —JST, GMA News