President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed appreciation for Ambassador Huang Xilian of the People’s Republic of China during the envoy’s farewell call at Malacañang, acknowledging both the diplomatic ties fostered during his tenure and the continuing challenges over territorial disputes.
“We will miss you,” President Marcos told Huang in a farewell ceremony in Malacañang.
“You have — I think you have made a very good second home already here in Manila,” he added.
While noting that progress on maritime issues had been limited, Mr. Marcos commended Huang’s efforts to prevent tensions from escalating amid continuing disputes.
“It’s unfortunate we didn’t make much progress on the difficulties that we have in the South China Sea, West Philippine Sea,” he said. “But I think, considering how difficult the situation was, we have managed to keep things at least away from too much problem. Thank you for your service,” he stated.
Huang, who has served as China’s top diplomat in Manila since 2019, leaves his post as incidents in the disputed waters continue to strain relations between the two countries.
Despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping maritime claims, a decision Beijing rejects, confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels, including the use of water cannons and ramming tactics, have intensified in recent months.
Mr. Marcos has repeatedly asserted that the Philippines “will not yield” its territorial rights and has emphasized dialogue and diplomacy as key to managing the situation.
Under his administration, Manila has strengthened alliances with partners such as the United States and Japan and filed dozens of diplomatic protests over Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea.
