MANILA, Philippines -- Despite the melamine contamination scandal, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has assured China's outgoing Ambassador Song Tao that China remains a key ally of the Philippines in the region.

“China is very important to us in terms of diplomatic, socio-economic as well as political relations,'' a Malacañang statement quoted Arroyo as telling Tao Friday afternoon.

Tao, for his part, thanked Arroyo for the support and friendship that the government had extended to him during his tour of duty. His replacement has yet to be named.

The envoy held a 15-minute farewell meeting with the President at the Music Room in Malacañang last Friday.

Three milk products in local supermarkets had so far been found to be tainted with melamine, prompting health authorities to order their pullout. Food officials believed these were smuggled into the country.

The Bureau of Food and Drugs on Friday cleared several milk brands of any contamination of melamine. But beyond milk, the scare has extended to China-made cosmetics and canned goods.

Melamine is a white powder used to make plastic, fertilizer, and fire retardant foam but has been found in China-made fresh milk, powders, and yogurt. Milk tainted with melamine has poisoned over 53,000 children, killing four in China.

Malacañang officials had said that the scandal would not sour relations with China, which has replaced the United States as the country’s No. 1 market.

The President also expressed regrets over the end of the Chinese envoy's tour of duty. “So sorry to see you go. This is a very sad day for all of us. I hope you enjoyed your stay here,'' the statement quoted her as telling Tao.

After a year of tour in the country, Tao is flying back to China for his next assignment.