Manila summons Chinese envoy over ‘threat’ remarks

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan (井泉) to express its “serious concern and strong objection” about remarks by the envoy that it said conveyed a threat of the use of force.

Jing told media last week that China “may easily win” in a confrontation with the Philippines, but Beijing would not use force because “we love peace.”

He was responding to a question about the Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr describing China as a regional troublemaker.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maris Theresa Lazaro, left, poses with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan after he was summoned to the department in Manila yesterday.

Photo: Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Public Diplomacy via AP

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro told Jing that his comments were “provocative and unacceptable,” and aggravated the sensitive atmosphere between the two countries, the department said in a statement.

Sensitive issues should be addressed through established diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms that reserve space for dialogue and engagement, she said.

Diplomatic disputes between China and the Philippines, a US ally, have become more frequent in the past few years, typically over standoffs and altercations between rival vessels in the South China Sea, much of which Beijing claims sovereignty over.

Manila has accused China’s coast guard of aggressive conduct in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, while Beijing insists it is enforcing the law against vessels that are encroaching on its territory.

Asked about the summoning and calls by some lawmakers in Manila for Jing’s expulsion, China yesterday said it firmly opposes what it called the “malicious hyping” of China-related issues by some people.

“The Philippine side should take concrete steps to restrain such irresponsible words and actions by certain politicians,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning (毛寧) told a daily press conference in Beijing.

Mao also said that improving bilateral relations would benefit both countries.

The Chinese embassy in Manila last week said Jing had been selectively quoted and his remarks overinterpreted.