The Filipino Chinese business community paid tribute to the late Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago "Chito" Sta. Romana, saying his demise is a great loss to the Philippines.
Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong said in a statement that the entire Filipino-Chinese business community is grieving the loss of Amb. Sta. Romana. FFCCCII also extends its condolences to the Sta. Romana family, loved ones and his colleagues at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) and the Filipino Chinese business community condole with the family and loved ones of the late Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago ‘Chito’ Sta. Romana, whose sad and untimely demise is a great loss to the Philippines. We pay tribute to the outstanding record of diplomatic service, patriotism, wisdom and professionalism of Ambassador Chito Sta. Romana,” Lim said in the statement.
The Chinese community cited the Ambassador’s role in the “success of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s independent foreign policy and the normalization of our vital diplomatic relations of the Philippines with our traditional trade partner and ancient ally China.”
The FFCCCII supported Sta. Romana’s diplomatic mission, particularly during the June 2019 Recto Bank incident involving the fishing boat of Mindoro fishermen and a Chinese fishing vessel.
Lim recalled that the Ambassador requested the FFCCCII to help pro-actively diffuse the then emotional controversy by helping the Filipino fishermen.
The FFCCCII also supported Sta. Romana’s belief that it is in the best national interest of the Philippines to nurture and strengthen the win-win diplomatic, trade, cultural and other cooperation with China. The Filipino-Chinese business group also stood behind the Ambassador’s thrust to compete for China's the huge tourism potential opportunities with other ASEAN countries.
“Ambassador Chito Sta. Romana was not only an outstanding diplomat and exponent of better Philippines-China cooperation, he was also a respected former journalist and scholar,” Lim concluded.
FFCCCII is the umbrella federation of over 170 Filipino Chinese chambers of commerce and other trade, industry associations from Aparri to Tawi Tawi.