Philippines summons Chinese envoy over remarks it says conveyed threat of force

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Philippines summoned China’s ambassador Monday, expressing “serious concern” over remarks it said conveyed a threat of force, while the envoy rejected that interpretation and lodged his own protest.

Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro told Ambassador Jing Quan that his recent statement was “provocative and unacceptable, and does not contribute to creating understanding,” the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said.

She “stressed that such language aggravates an already sensitive bilateral atmosphere and undermines the shared efforts of both countries to build mutual understanding and cooperation.”

The dispute stems from remarks Jing made Thursday on the sidelines of an event in Manila while responding to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who had called China a “troublemaker” in the region.

Jing dismissed that characterization as “nonsense.”

“If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose force, and we love peace,” he said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday that Jing’s statement “sounds very much like a threat.”

In its account of Monday’s meeting, the Chinese Embassy said Jing accused Philippine officials of taking his remarks out of context.

“But my point is despite our capacity, we don’t have the intention to use force. Because we are friends and close neighbors. There is no need to resort to force,” he said, according to a statement the embassy released on US social media platform X.

At the same time, Jing warned that the Philippines should not interpret China’s restraint in maritime disputes as weakness or further challenge its patience.

The embassy said he also lodged strong protests over what it described as attacks and misrepresentations by Philippine officials, criticizing calls to declare him persona non grata, maritime infringements and “anti-China resolutions.”

“No one should expect the Chinese Embassy to keep silent in the face of smear and attack against China,” he said. “Our bilateral relations are at a very sensitive and complicated juncture.”

- Further diplomatic action possible

The Philippine Foreign Affairs Department said Monday that Manila “values freedom of expression and a plurality of voices” and “will not accept attempts by a foreign envoy to intimidate those who exercise them.”

“It is not the place of a foreign mission to publicly criticize or taunt Philippine officials and legislators who are acting within their mandates,” it added.

The Chinese Embassy had also criticized Philippine Sen. JV Ejercito after he called on Jing to “go home.”

“This senator is bluffing again. This is the typical political performance of a Philippine politician. Filled with conceit and arrogance. For show and for headlines,” the embassy wrote Saturday on X.

Lazaro said Monday that “sensitive issues are best addressed through established diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms.”

The Foreign Affairs department urged candid dialogue but said Manila also “reserves the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary.”

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Monday that developing bilateral ties served both countries’ interests and urged the Philippines to rein in what she described as irresponsible words and actions by certain politicians.

In July, Beijing sanctioned Teodoro, accusing him of repeatedly making irresponsible remarks that undermined China’s interests and sabotaged bilateral ties.

China and the Philippines have repeatedly clashed over competing maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Riyaz Khaliq Khaliq