As Panatag boils, Aquino appoints career diplomat as envoy to China
During one of the Philippines’ worst diplomatic crises in recent history, a stand-off with Asian superpower China, talks have been hobbled by the lack of an ambassador in Beijing.
President Benigno Aquino III has finally appointed one, career diplomat Sonia Brady, a China veteran who had already been ambassador there from 2006-2010, as well as a young consul in the 1970s.
She is also a former ambassador to Myanmar and Thailand.
Aquino’s previous appointee, family friend Domingo Lee, could not be approved by Congress’ Commission on Appointments because some senators had questioned his qualifications.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Saturday Aquino appointed Brady to be the ambassador to China with concurrent jurisdiction over North Korea and Mongolia.
“Na-transmit na ng Office of the Executive Secretary ang designation paper ni Sonia Brady as ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Mongolia,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.
Brady’s appointment has come as tensions are high between the Philippines and China because of stand-off at Panatag Shoal, a crisis that has entered its seventh week.
The crisis was triggered last April when Philippine military forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species but were blocked by Chinese vessels from making arrests.
Valte said Brady is no stranger to Beijing, having been ambassador there from April 2006 to January 2010.
She said Brady was in China for President Aquino’s state visit to China in 2011, and briefed Aquino and his delegation.
Brady has a master of arts in international relations from the University of Southern California and a foreign service degree from the University of the Philippines, Valte added.
“So isang career diplomat si Sonia Brady (So we can say Brady is a career diplomat),” she said.
Valte said Brady’s other career highlights included:
– Ambassador to Thailand 2002 to 2003
– Ambassador to Myanmar 1995 to 1999
– Deputy Chief of Mission to Indonesia 1994 to 95
– Deputy Chief of Mission to Thailand 1992 to 94
– Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Second Secretary and Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing from 1976 to 1978
– Undersecretary for policy July 2003 to 2006
– Assistant Secretary to the Office of the Secretary for policy and coordination
– Director for the Office of the Asia-Pacific
– Assistant at the office of policy affairs
Last May 10, Aquino appointed Cesar Zalamea and Domingo Lee as special envoys to China.
Zalamea, current chairman and chief executive officer of Focus Range International Limited, was appointed to advance Philippine economic interests in China by “pursuing initiatives aimed at increasing Chinese investments in the Philippines.”
Lee, a family friend of Aquino, is responsible for promoting the 2012-2013 Philippine-China Years of Friendly Exchanges by promoting tourism.
Both envoys will serve a term of six months. — LBG, GMA News
Good move to appoint an FSO since we need someone skilled with negotiations. But other China hands like Chito Sta. Maria should also help formulate China policy.
Agree with J. Good thinking, Mr President. We seriously need to consider organising a quasi-governmental think-tank group that can help formulate policies and advise president/govt on PH-China relations.
We have this sort of think tank groups in the EU too.
and time for PeNoy to remove those non-performing cabinet officials. they’re only burden to the coffers as well as the tax paying public.
they’re already OVERCROWDED in over-manned useless departments.
also, stop creating more positions TO satisfy political friends and patrons. what we need ARE jobs/opportunities for the masses NOT to only few members of kabarilan, kaibigan and kamag-aral.