Chinese embassy: Persona non grata threat an old trick

“Some anti-China politicians talked about declaring the Chinese ambassador persona non grata (PNG). Over the past 30 years, anti-China forces have been repeatedly doing the same thing to threaten our embassy.

STAR / File

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese embassy in Manila warned that anyone who tries to provoke China will be “pushed back,” as it challenged politicians moving to declare its top diplomat in the country persona non grata to “do it quickly and immediately.”

“Some anti-China politicians talked about declaring the Chinese ambassador persona non grata (PNG). Over the past 30 years, anti-China forces have been repeatedly doing the same thing to threaten our embassy. We are fed up with these old and low tricks. If they really want to do something, do it quickly and immediately, please,” the embassy said in a Facebook post.

“While diplomacy is based on reciprocity. We will not welcome them to China. Simple and fair enough,” it said.

The embassy also accused Sen. JV Ejercito of bluffing, describing it as a typical political performance of a Philippine politician filled with conceit and arrogance.

“Make no mistake: respect is mutual. China treats all countries as equals, big or small, but will never tolerate ill-intentioned remarks, smears or provocations. As representatives of China, the Embassy will firmly safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and dignity,” the embassy said. 

“Anyone who tries to provoke China will be pushed back. We have never talked down to anyone. Yet the despicable conduct of those anti-China politicians truly invites contempt,” it added.

The behavior of anti-China politicians, the embassy said, is “utterly disgraceful.” 

On Saturday, the embassy also castigated the Philippine media for having “very limited comprehension about facts.”