President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has picked businessman Benito Techico as his special envoy to China for trade, investments and tourism.

Marcos administered the oath of office to Techico in a ceremony held at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday, based on a video uploaded by state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) on its official Facebook page.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administers the oath of office to Mr. Benito Techico as the Special Envoy of the President to the People’s Republic of China for Trade, Investment and Tourism in a ceremony at the Study Room in Malacañan Palace on Feb. 21, 2023,” RTVM said.

As Marcos’ special envoy to China, Techico is tasked to coordinate with government officials, business leaders and other important stakeholders to promote and improve economic cooperation between the Philippines and China, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in another Facebook post.

The PCO also shared several photos of the oath-taking ceremony.

The Office of the President (OP) said Marcos is optimistic that with Techico’s appointment, the two countries’ ties would improve.

“During the ceremony, the President emphasized the importance of Mr. Techico’s appointment, expressing his hope that it would bring forth new opportunities for economic development, growth and most importantly, peace and stability between the Philippines and China,” the OP said.

Malacañang has yet to release Techico’s appointment paper.

Prior to his new position in the government, Techico served as chief executive officer and president of Philippine Blue Cross Biotech Corp.

Marcos’ foreign trips have so far generated a total of 116 investment projects worth PHP3.48 trillion (USD62.926 billion), with China yielding the highest investments amounting to USD24.239 billion, based on a report from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). (PNA)