China’s embassy in Manila rebuked Philippine Sen. Risa Hontiveros in an Oct. 20 Facebook post over her proposal to seek Ambassador Jing Quan’s removal, Anadolu reported.
Hontiveros filed a proposed Senate resolution urging the chamber to ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare Jing persona non grata or request that China recall him. The proposal does not itself remove the ambassador.
“Since you don’t welcome us, we don’t welcome you, either. Fair enough,” the embassy said in a post sharing Hontiveros’ proposal.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo had filed a separate resolution Oct. 19 seeking a recommendation from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that Jing be declared persona non grata.
The proposals follow Jing’s statement that China could win easily if it used force against the Philippines, although he said it would not take that step. Marcos described the remark as a threat. The DFA summoned Jing on Oct. 19 to object to his comments.
Hontiveros’ measure seeks a request from the Senate to Marcos; Tulfo’s seeks a DFA recommendation. Both leave any action against Jing to other Philippine authorities.
