The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Oct. 19, saying his remarks about a possible conflict conveyed a threat to use force.
Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro told Jing the government had “serious concern and strong objection” to his Oct. 15 public statement, the DFA said. She described his comments as “provocative and unacceptable.” The department reserved the right to pursue additional diplomatic measures if it deemed them necessary.
The Straits Times reported that Jing was responding to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro's description of Beijing as a regional “troublemaker.” After a speech at a Manila school, Jing told reporters that the Philippines should feel fortunate to have China as a neighbor. He said China could “easily win” if it used force, but would not choose that option and favored peace.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning addressed the dispute at a regular news conference on Oct. 19. She said Beijing opposed what it characterized as malicious efforts by some people in the Philippines to amplify China-related issues and harm bilateral ties. Mao separately urged Manila to restrain individual politicians' “irresponsible words and deeds.”
AFP reported that at least two sitting senators joined calls for Jing's expulsion. The Straits Times reported that Sen. Erwin Tulfo's office filed a resolution earlier on Oct. 19 seeking to declare Jing persona non grata.
The dispute comes amid incidents in contested parts of the South China Sea involving both countries' armed forces and coast guards. Beijing claims most of the sea, while an international ruling found no legal basis for that claim.
