China values ties with Phl – envoy

MANILA, Philippines - Despite some setbacks in current bilateral relations, Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing has cited the importance China attaches to the Philippines, saying ties between the two countries have not changed.

“China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors. The friendly exchanges between the two people date back thousands of years,” Ma said at the induction of officers of the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.

The ambassador said the maritime dispute is only a small part of bilateral relations, noting that it should be “carefully handled.”

“I would like to reiterate that the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with the Philippines and this obviously has not changed. If the Philippine side met the Chinese side halfway hopefully we can handle (this) through dialogues and consultations,” Ma added.

She emphasized the promotion of bilateral cooperation and relations between peoples to reap mutual benefits.

“We are convinced to follow peaceful development and work together,” she said.

2nd Phl warship arrives

The second warship acquired from the US reached the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday after a nearly two-month voyage.  

Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the BRP Ramon Alcaraz reached the Philippine area of responsibility at about 1 a.m. yesterday.

The Alcaraz is expected to enter Philippine territory today through Casiguran, Aurora, where local fishermen will welcome it.

The Philippine area of responsibility pertains to the designated area in the northwestern Pacific where the weather bureau is tasked to monitor tropical cyclone occurrences.

The farthest point of the Philippine area of responsibility is located more than 1,400 kilometers from the Casiguran station of the Philippine Atmospheric ,  Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

The Philippine area of responsibility is much wider than Philippine territory.

On Saturday, the Alcaraz will sail towards Bolinao, Pangasinan for the “meeting procedure,” a tradition where a naval ship welcomes the newest member of the fleet.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar will meet the Alcaraz in the ceremony, which Navy officials and the media will  witness. – Pia Lee-Brago, Alexis Romero, Michelle Zoleta