Philippine Ambassador to China Personnel Appointment Approved by Congress

The Philippine Congress Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday approved the appointment of veteran journalist Jimmy Flogu as Philippine ambassador to China.

Jaime Florcruz, 71, was appointed ambassador to China by President Marcos on October 19 this year. This appointment was first supported by the foreign affairs team of the appointment committee led by Senator Jinggui Estrada, and then approved by the entire committee.

"I think we should continue to engage with China and pursue an independent foreign policy set by President Marcos," he said at the committee hearing." He said that in the family of nations, we should continue to be friends to all and not be enemies to anyone.

Marcos is scheduled to visit China in a few weeks.

Senate Speaker Subili told Flogoury at the committee hearing that he was about to take up "one of the very sensitive positions".

When Senator Du Renzheno asked how he, as ambassador, would help the two countries ease tensions in the South China Sea and improve Philippine-Chinese relations, Flogu replied: "Diplomacy is an extension of internal affairs. I think we need to unite, the executive branch, the Congress, the Supreme Court. We should unite as a country."

He pointed out: "I think our foreign policy should be based on strength, which means that we should ensure that the armed forces, especially the navy and maritime police, are adequately funded and trained. This is the best means to safeguard our sovereignty and territory. Of course, it is easier said than done. But I believe that unity and national unity should be the cornerstone of our foreign policy."

Du Renzheno said he hoped that the Frogu law show would improve the plight of Filipino fishermen and Filipinos views on the West Philippine Sea.

He told Flogoury: "It must be expressed repeatedly that this (referring to the disputed waters) is Philippine. I hope you will do this, express it once a day. Put up a sign outside your embassy, 'Leave the West Philippine Sea', which can be written in Chinese characters... You are nodding, meaning you will do that?"

"I'll think about it, sir," returned Flogu."

When Senator Hong Zhiweilos asked how the Philippines should deal with "China's rise as a global superpower", Flogu emphasized the need for the Philippines to maintain a delicate balance in pursuing an independent foreign policy.

He said: "I know it's not easy, it's a delicate balance. I believe we have begun to do that while promoting or strengthening relations with the United States. Our president will also go to China with the same idea of balance. We are close to China, so there are many good reasons for us to maintain good relations with our neighbors. This does not mean that we will abandon the arbitration result in the South China Sea, nor does it mean that we will sacrifice sovereignty and territorial integrity. Moreover, we only maintain good-neighborly relations with China, just as we want to maintain good relations with the United States."

Flogu, who speaks fluent Chinese, took over the position vacated by his former media colleague and late ambassador Romana. The Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognized the role played by Ambassador Romana during the Duterte government for the "vigorous development" of Philippine-Chinese relations.

According to his personal data on the website of Peking University, where he is a visiting professor, Flogu was the head and reporter of CNN's Beijing bureau before 2014, the head and reporter of Time Magazine's Beijing bureau (1982-2000) and Newsweek's Beijing correspondent (1981).

He has twice served as Chairman of the Fortune Global Forum China, which brings together global business and political leaders, once in Beijing in 2005 and once in Chengdu, Sichuan Province in 2013.

Peking University wrote in its profile that "he was an activist in the anti-Marcos movement during his university years." In 1971, he found himself trapped in China because the then Philippine President Marcos suspended habeas corpus and arrested hundreds of opponents and critics.

Jimmy's profile reads: "Maradon declared martial law in 1972, and a year later, Flogu's Filipino passport expired. He is a stateless citizen who has been in China for 12 years."

Hong Zhiwei asked Flogurist that he was actually exiled by the old Marcos, but now he accepted the appointment of Marcos. Some people may say that this is ironic, while Jimmy said: "There is a reason for everything... I love the Philippines and I want to serve the Philippines. I stayed in China for this reason. Now I accept this position for the same reason, that is to serve the country. I am honored to be able to hold public office. I have never held any public office in the Philippines. Therefore, I am very honored to serve my country again."