Basilio named new envoy to China

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has appointed Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda Basilio as the new ambassador to China.

In an ambush interview, Aquino yesterday said he chose Basilio for her “wealth of experience” as a veteran diplomat and in consideration of the “high recommendations” of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

“Given that she’s already the senior undersecretary, it sends a signal of how important our relations are with China and how serious we are in trying to achieve an understanding with them,” Aquino said after his keynote speech at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines’ assembly at the Manila Hotel.

Basilio is replacing Sonia Brady, who suffered a stroke in Beijing at the height of a standoff between the Philippines and China over Panatag Shoal.

Zhang Hua, spokesman for the Chinese embassy, said they hope that the early appointment of the new Philippine ambassador will facilitate communication and development of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The President said Malacañang would submit Basilio’s nomination to the Commission on Appointments.

“Once they confirm (her), therefore, we can seek – the French term is agrement – the agreement for the designation of Usec. Basilio as our new ambassador to China,” the President said. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said Basilio has the “necessary skills to build bridges to China and articulate the policies and positions of our country on important issues.”

“She will play a crucial role in shaping our evolving and increasingly complex relationship with China,” Carandang said.

Basilio wrote a position paper on why there was no joint communiqué issued following the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s foreign ministers’ meeting in Cambodia last July.

She defended the Philippines from criticisms that it was being obstructionist.

The other ASEAN foreign ministers later backed the Philippines in pushing for a joint communiqué to include the West Philippine Sea issue, which was being blocked by chairman Cambodia.

In August, Basilio handed a note verbale to Cambodian embassy Second Secretary Tan Chandaravuth to protest former Cambodian ambassador Hos Sereythonh’s claim that “dirty politics” was behind the “inflexible and non-negotiable” position of the Philippines and Vietnam on the inclusion of the West Philippine Sea issue in the ASEAN Joint Communiqué.

Basilio also led last October the 18th Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations co-hosted by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA said the two countries exchanged views on the diplomatic relations and issues of common interest in a constructive atmosphere.

– With Pia Lee-Brago, Jess Diaz, Christina Mendez