Ambassador Jing Quan, a career diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, has just started his tour of duty in the Philippines, and it is fitting that we welcome him with the same warmth and enthusiasm previously given to his predecessor, Ambassador Huang Xilian.
Ambassador Jing takes on the responsibilities of being the chief envoy of China here, and we believe he is up for the job.
His previous assignment was as Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States.
From 2018 to 2021, Jing was designated as Deputy Director-General in the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs.
Jing hails from Hancheng, Shaanxi Province in China. He is married with one daughter.
When he arrived last Dec. 6, Jing was welcomed at the airport by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy.
When he paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Ambassador Jing acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in his role as a stabilizer in bilateral relations.
Having previously been assigned at the Chinese embassy in Washington, Jing is fully aware of the decades-old problem in the South China Sea involving the Philippines and China, particularly the conflicting claims of ownership in certain rocks and shoals there.
We salute his courage and determination to work for the stability of relations between the two countries, despite the evident kinks and snags.
“As ambassador, I will firmly safeguard national interests and dignity, while also playing a bridging role to stabilize rather than deteriorate China-Philippines relations, and to bring the people of both countries closer rather than drift apart. My task is arduous, but I am confident and look forward to everyone’s strong support,” the Embassy quoted him as saying in its Mandarin-language release.
Envoys are known to be conservative and adhere to a low-key lifestyle, working away from the limelight as much as possible. Ambassador Jing, as second-in-command of the Chinese embassy in Washington DC, was effective in his job because he followed such unassuming ways.
Colleagues have described Jing as hard-working, articulate, humorous and open “but also unapologetic about China’s position.” They credit Jing for being a seasoned negotiator, and for contributing much in the US-China trade negotiations under the Trump administration.
Ambassador Jing started on a good foot when he met with the Philippines’ top businessmen, all members and officials of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).
It was an open discussion on the state of Philippine export and tourism sectors ahead of the 2025 ASEAN Summit.
In a statement, FFCCCII said that the dialogue with Jing focused on enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries in line with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to bridge international partnerships.
Among the plans proposed by the FFCCCII were “balanced and mutually beneficial exchanges” on the active promotion of Philippine products in major Chinese forums, boosting the Philippines as a premier tourist spot for Chinese travelers, and empowering Philippine enterprises.
With seasoned diplomats like Jing at the helm of the Chinese embassy, we are hopeful that Philippines-China relations will continue its positive course.
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