Philippine ambassador to China suffers stroke

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Brady suffered a stroke and was brought to a hospital in Beijing, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said.

“It has been confirmed that Ambassador Brady suffered a stroke but she is better now than when she was brought to the hospital last Wednesday,” Raul Hernandez, DFA spokesperson, said in a text message.

“Her condition is continuously being monitored,” Hernandez said.
He said that Brady was brought to a hospital last Wednesday after she passed out in her residence in Beijing.

“She is undergoing tests and waiting for the results. Her condition is stable but she is under observation,” Hernandez said.

Brady is serving her second tour of duty as ambassador to China for she has served the same position from 2006 to 2010. She turned 70 last Wednesday.

In early June, Malacañang and the DFA issued orders to Brady to find a peaceful solution to the Scarborough Shoal dispute and to employ diplomatic means to resolve the issue.

The Palace has expressed confidence that Brady would be able to use her diplomatic expertise in finding a solution to the dispute between China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea.

President Benigno Aquino III named Brady back to her post on May 27. A veteran diplomat, she had an easy confirmation from the Commission on Appointments (three days later.

Brady also has jurisdiction over North Korean and Mongolia. She also held the DFA undersecretary for policy post from 2003 to 2006.