The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Monday over remarks that Manila said conveyed a threat of force. Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro told the envoy his comments were provocative and unacceptable.
Lazaro stated that the language used failed to contribute to mutual understanding. She said such statements aggravated a sensitive bilateral atmosphere and undermined cooperative efforts.
The diplomatic dispute originated from remarks made by Jing on Thursday in Manila. He was responding to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who had labelled China a regional troublemaker.
Jing dismissed the characterization as nonsense during a side event. He stated that if Beijing wanted to use force, it could easily win, though he added that China loves peace and chooses not to use it.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Responded on Friday by stating that the ambassador’s remarks sounded very much like a threat. Following the summons, the Chinese Embassy maintained that the envoy had been taken out of context.
According to an embassy statement released on X, Jing reiterated that despite its capacity, China lacked the intention to use force because the two nations were friends and close neighbours.
At the same time, the ambassador warned that Manila should not interpret Beijing’s maritime restraint as weakness. He cautioned the Philippine government against challenging Chinese patience.
The Chinese Embassy also lodged strong protests against Philippine officials. It criticized maritime infringements, anti-China resolutions, and what it called smears and attacks by local politicians.
Jing stated that no one should expect the embassy to remain silent in the face of attacks. He added that bilateral relations stood at a very sensitive and complicated juncture.
The Philippine Foreign Affairs Department stated on Monday that the country values freedom of expression. Manila would not accept attempts by any foreign envoy to intimidate officials acting within their mandates.
