Philippine president designates 2 special envoys to China

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has designated two special envoys to China, Malacanang, the presidential palace, announced on Wednesday.

One of the envoys is former Philippine Ambassador-designate to China Domingo Lee. The other is Cesar Zalamea, chairman and chief executive officer of Focus Range International Ltd.

Aquino, who is in the process of selecting a new ambassador to China, signed the appointment papers on May 10 for a term of six months, Malacanang said.

Malacanang said Lee will "closely coordinate with and provide regular feedback on initiatives undertaken" to the Philippine ambassador to the People's Republic of China and the Department Foreign Affairs assistant secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs.

He will submit regular reports to the Foreign Affairs Secretary on his official duties, and perform other duties to enhance Philippines-China relations as may be assigned to him by the President or the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

As the Special Envoy for Investments, Zalamea is tasked to "aggressively encourage more Chinese investors to locate and set up in the Philippines in preferred areas of investments as well as new and emerging areas for growth."

He will "actively seek out and sign on potential Chinese investors who will take part in the financing, construction and running of key infrastructure projects under the Philippine Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme."

Unless authorized by the President, through the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Special Envoys shall not commit or obligate the Philippine government, the Malacanang said.