Former Phillippine vice president Teofisto Guingona on Friday resigned as new ambassador to the People's Republic of China.

"The challenges that confront the nation go beyond personal attachments. It goes to the soul of governance itself and we decide as conscience dictates. I therefore humbly tender my resignation," Guingona said in an open letter of resignation dated July 8 and faxed to the press office of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Guingona was scheduled to leave for Beijing to assume the post this month before his resignation.

In 2001, Guingona resigned as Foreign Affairs Secretary, due to foreign policy differences concerning the United States with president Arroyo.

Source: Xinhua