DFA: Chinese Embassy's recent remarks undermine efforts on bilateral relations

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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday called out the Chinese Embassy in Manila for its recent social media posts, which the agency said affect mutual trust and confidence and severely undermine efforts to stabilize bilateral relations between the Philippines and China.

In a statement, the DFA said the social media posts of the Chinese Embassy were using “undiplomatic tone” which are not conducive to good relations.

“The escalatory and undiplomatic tone and language used in the latest social media statements of the Chinese Embassy erode mutual trust and confidence, and severely undermines the efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations,” the DFA said.

“The recent public statements of the Embassy do not reflect the longstanding spirit of constructive engagement between the two countries and the two foreign ministries. Such statements are not conducive to good relations nor to the effective discharge of diplomatic functions,” it added.

The Chinese Embassy has been posting and reacting on Facebook on of the statements of Philippine government officials and lawmakers who have been critical of them.

This came after Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan was condemned after he was quoted as saying that Beijing may easily win if it wants to use force against the Philippines.

The DFA thus reminded all diplomats accredited to the Philippines to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements, such as those posted on social media.

“All diplomats are expected to conduct and express themselves in a manner befitting diplomatic envoys, especially on social media,” it said.

The DFA also reiterated that it reserves the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary.

Regardless, the agency said the Philippines continues to adhere to the One China Policy, anchored on the 1975 Philippines-China Joint Communique.

“It underscores our consistent position that the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government of China, and that we fully understand and respect the position of the Chinese Government that there is but one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory,” the DFA said.

“Throughout the years, the Philippines’ relevant regulations reflect the country’s unwavering implementation of its One China Policy,” it added. — RSJ, GMA News