MANILA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has named veteran journalist Jose Santiago Sta. Romana as new ambassador to China, the Commission on Appointment said on Wednesday.

Sta. Romana, 68, confirmed his nomination in a text message to Xinhua. He said Duterte submitted his name to the independent constitutional body on Sept. 28.

Sta. Romana has worked in China for decades as Beijing bureau chief for ABC News, the news division of the American Broadcasting Company.

He has covered China as a producer and reporter for ABC News from 1989 until his retirement in 2010, according to his profile posted in the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement where he serves as member of the Board of Trustees.