On 8 April 2014, H.E. Zhao Jianhua, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of the Philippines, presented the Letter of Credence to H.E. Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Ambassador Zhao held a brief meeting with President Aquino after his presentation of credentials. Both sides exchanged views on China-Philippines relations and the South China Sea issue. Ambassador Zhao reiterated relevant principled position of the Chinese government. He emphasized that China attaches importance to its relations with the Philippines. The current difficulties in the bilateral relations, caused by some problems including the arbitration case on the South China Sea issue, are not what the Chinese side wishes to see, and are not in the common interests of both China and the Philippines. It is China's hope that the Philippine side could, in the spirit of seeking common grounds while shelving differences, work with the Chinese side to properly handle relevant disputes, and to overcome obstacles and bring the bilateral ties back to the normal track of development.

Ambassador Zhao arrived in Manila on February 23 and presented the copy of the Letter of Credence to Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario on March 7.