Chinese envoy bids farewell to Noy

MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing yesterday paid a farewell visit to President Aquino at Malacañang as she ended her “not so rosy” stint in Manila.

“We have always maintained that the country’s relationship with China has never been on one-dimensional. It has never been focused on our tension with China on the West Philippine Sea,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Lacierda said diplomatic ties between Manila and Beijing “have always been multifaceted and multi-dimensional.”

“I am certain that despite the differences, we will have a warm departure for Ambassador Ma Keqing,” he said.

“She’s a very warm ambassador and it has never stopped us from communicating with each other,” he added.

Ma earlier said that bilateral relations between the Philippines and China have been “bumpy” due to a territorial dispute.

“Well, understandably, being an ambassador you will defend the interests of your country. We will expect that the good relationship between China and the Philippines will continue,” Lacierda said.