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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH envoy to China Sta. Romana passes away; PH, China mourn 'great loss'

PH envoy to China Sta. Romana passes away; PH, China mourn 'great loss'

Published Apr 19, 2022 11:24 am

Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago "Chito" Sta. Romana has passed away, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Tuesday, April 19.

Ambassador Jose Santiago 'Chito' Sta. Romana (Photo from Chito Sta. Romana Facebook page)

"It is with the inconsolable grief of the Secretary and the profoundest sadness that the Department of Foreign Affairs announces the demise of Philippine Ambassador to China, His Excellency Jose Santiago "Chito" Sta. Romana," the DFA said in a statement.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs offers its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Ambassador Chito, to our nation for its great loss. We pray for the eternal repose of his soul," the DFA added.

The department said that the Philippine Embassy in Beijing is coordinating with the Chinese authorities for the immediate repatriation of Sta. Romana's remains.

Sta. Romana was appointed Philippine envoy to China on Dec. 7, 2016. The DFA said he was appointed "in recognition of his deep knowledge of China's history and people."

Under his tenure, Philippines and China's relations "flourished despite differences" and "flowered all the more in maturity and were deeply strengthened."

"We honor his important legacy of selfless service to the Filipino in the most challenging foreign post," the DFA said.

In a message sent by the ambassador to one of SERVE's editors on Good Friday, April 15, a few days before he died, he said it was a "rare privilege" to serve as the Philippine envoy to China.

He said he wanted to be remembered through his diplomatic assignment that built the bridge of cooperation and friendship between the two nations.

“Looking back, it was a rare privilege to serve as the Philippine Ambassador to China and contribute to the turnaround and significant improvement in our bilateral relations. There have been numerous milestones and achievements during the course of my diplomatic assignment," the Filipino diplomat then said.

"But if there is one thing I am proud of, it is this: to have played a frontline role in building a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the Filipino and Chinese people that transcended any differences and contributed to regional stability and prosperity. For, after all, what is diplomacy for, if not to serve the people and promote the country’s interests?" he added.

Colleagues of Sta. Romana from the College Editors Guild of the Philippines '69-'72 (CEGP) had been conducting interviews with the ambassador in the last months. This would form part of the book SERVE, which the group is submitting to the Ateneo University for review and publication.

According to Sta. Romana's sister, Neni, the Filipino diplomat died in Huangshan, Anhui province. He was undergoing a required quarantine prior to returning to Beijing.

He also accompanied DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. two weeks ago for a meeting with Chinese ministers.

Ambassador Jose Santiago 'Chito' Sta. Romana during a turnover ceremony of Covid-19 vaccines held in Beijing on Dec. 12, 2021 (Photo from Chito Sta. Romana Facebook page)

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian expressed his condolences to Sta. Romana's family and friends, including the DFA and Philippine government.

"I greatly value our time working together and will always be grateful for his friendship and undeniable contribution to the development of China-Philippines relations," Huang said in a statement.

The Chinese envoy emphasized that Sta. Romana was among the first Filipinos to visit the new China when he headed the visiting Philippine Youth Delegation in 1971.

"Over the past 51 years, starting from a foreign student learning Chinese in Beijing, to ABC’s China correspondent for over 20 years and to Philippine Ambassador to China, Ambassador Chito has spent the best part of his life understanding and helping the world and the Philippines to understand China. China-Philippine relations have been strengthened and indeed flourished under his distinguished tenure as the Philippine Ambassador to China," Huang said.

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin also extended condolences to the loved ones of Sta. Romana and paid tribute to his contributions to the China-Philippines relations.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ambassador Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana due to an illness. Ambassador Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana is well known for his profound knowledge of China. He worked and lived in China for many years and was our old friend and good friend. After assuming the post of the Philippine Ambassador to China in 2017, he worked actively and industriously, making important contributions to promoting bilateral relations and friendship between our two peoples," Wang said in a statement.

"We are deeply grieved by the loss of a good friend and extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. We will work together with his family and the Philippine Embassy in China to properly handle follow-up matters and provide every convenience possible," Wang added.

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