Outgoing Chinese envoy bids farewell

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.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

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 resourcerich 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.