Philippines calls out Chinese envoy over 'use of force' remark

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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday urged Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to exercise greater restraint in his public statements after remarks that conveyed a “thinly veiled threat” of using force.

In a statement, the DFA said diplomacy requires "tact and restraint" to allow discourse, dialogue and engagement despite differences in positions and perspectives.

“It is regrettable that Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan today had a poor choice of words that would seem to convey a thinly veiled threat of the use of force,” it said.

The statement did not specify which remarks by Jing prompted the criticism.

A social media post by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, showed Jing being interviewed, where he said, "If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not use force. You know, we love peace, and in this region, we enjoy the peace."

The government said such remarks were “hardly helpful” amid the complicated bilateral ties between Manila and Beijing.

"It is hoped that all diplomats accredited to the Philippines take greater care in the language used in public statements so as not to further erode mutual trust and confidence, nor derail the advancement of dialogue and constructive engagement," the DFA added. —LDF, GMA News