Philippines' new ambassador was longtime resident of Beijing

The confirmation of a senior China specialist as the Philippines' new ambassador to China is seen as the country's latest effort to enhance a relationship that had soured under the previous Philippine administration, Chinese experts said.

The Philippine Congress confirmed Jose Santiago "Chito" Santa Romana as ambassador to China on Wednesday, after President Rodrigo Duterte put forward his nomination in September.

On Thursday, Santa Romana told a Chinese-language newspaper in the Philippines that he was honored to be able to accept the difficult challenges facing him, and will try his best to further develop bilateral ties.