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Tag: Chito Sta. Romana

No Chinese withdrawal from Scarborough shoal seen despite improved relations between Manila and Beijing

Published by Ellen on December 5, 2017

By Arianne Christian Tapao, VERA Files

Ambassador to China Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana does not see Chinese leader Xi Jinping ordering the withdrawal of Chinese Coast Guard ships from Scarborough shoal and returning to the pre-April 8, 2012 situation, when the area was under the control of the Philippines, despite Beijing’s improved relations with the Rodrigo Duterte government.

At best, it remains an “aspiration” that would take a long time, the Filipino diplomat said in an interview on the sidelines of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies Conference in Mandaluyong City Dec. 2.

China “is still claiming all of Spratlys,” said Sta. Romana, noting that Xi would insist during talks that Scarborough Shoal is China’s territory, and its government would lose face if it were to withdraw its vessels from the shoal.

“Given that, you really have to maneuver slowly, carefully,” he added.

One of the three Chinese Coastguard Maritime Surveillance ships in Scarborough shoal in April 2012

“If we want to go back to pre-2012 situation, the condition is that China will also say drop your Arbitral Tribunal award, which is impossible,” Sta Romana said in Filipino.

Continue readingNo Chinese withdrawal from Scarborough shoal seen despite improved relations between Manila and Beijing

Foreign secretary, envoy belie Duterte account of alleged Xi Jinping’s threat of war

Published by Ellen on May 23, 2017
Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano during President Duterte’s Moscow visit. Malacañang photo.

Newly-installed Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said he has been in all the bilateral meetings between President Duterte and China’s President Xi Jinping and he has not witnessed any threat of war uttered by the Chinese President.

Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana, who has worked and lived in China as a journalist before he was recruited to the foreign service, said in a TV interview, “The whole idea…therefore that China was bullying us and threatening us just doesn’t pass.”

What does that make of President Duterte, a liar?

Continue readingForeign secretary, envoy belie Duterte account of alleged Xi Jinping’s threat of war

Who will PNoy send to Beijing?

Published by Ellen on April 19, 2012

There are two positive things that resulted in the ongoing standoff in the Scarborough Shoal.
One is the decision of President Aquino recall the appointment of family friend Domingo Lee as ambassador to China and two, the raising of the conflicting territorial claims to the International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea has been accelerated.

With the withdrawal of Lee’s appointment, the next question is, who will Aquino send to fill the long-vacant post in Beijing?

Three names have been mentioned.

Basilio
The first one is recently-retired Erlinda Basilio. A career foreign service officer, Basilio’s last position was foreign affairs undersecretary for policy under the Aquino administration, a position that she also held under the Arroyo administration. Briefly, while waiting for now Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario to assume the position, she served as acting foreign secretary.

Basilio’s calm demeanor masks a certain toughness that is needed in dealing with a bully like China. Basilio is a veteran in diplomatic pressures. She is not easily intimidated.

Cruz
Another name mentioned is Luis T. Cruz, who is now our ambassador to South Korea.

Also a career officer,Cruz served as consul general in the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou, which he opened in 1997.

Cruz has the gift of “speaking his truth quietly and clearly” which is important in dealing with a pugnacious adversary.

Another name being floated is Chito Sta. Romana, former American Broadcasting Company news bureau in Beijing. He has retired from ABC and is now based in the Philippines.

Continue readingWho will PNoy send to Beijing?