23 April 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda F. Basilio was bestowed the “2014 Home and Abroad News Press - News Person of the Year” award by Home and Abroad News Press in a ceremony on March 18. Home and Abroad News Press is a bimonthly magazine established in 2001 and published by ZhongWai News.

The Guest of Honor at the awarding ceremony was former Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Mr. Li Beihai. Other special guests were the Deputy Secretary of the Publication Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Mr. Zhang Fan and the Chief Information Officer of the United Nations’ North-North Network.

The “News Person of the Year” annual award is aimed at “recognizing excellent persons who made remarkable contributions to the international society and promoting peace and harmony in the global community for many years.” During the awarding ceremony, it was announced that Ambassador Basilio was given the award for “bringing her unique woman's diplomatic demeanor to convey the everlasting friendship and great kindness” and for “making remarkable contributions to continuously promote the cooperation between China and the Philippines and maintain regional peace, stability and dynamic development in Asia.”

Prior to the awarding ceremony, a team from Home and Abroad News Press headed by Editor in Chief Mrs. Wei Yan interviewed Ambassador Basilio for the publication’s March-April issue. END