DFA admonishes China envoy over ‘thinly veiled threat on use of force’

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) rebuked Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan for remarks perceived as a "thinly veiled threat" of using force during an interview with local journalists. The DFA expressed regret over what it called a "poor choice of words" by Jing, stating that such language risks undermining mutual trust between the Philippines and China. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions over maritime disputes in the South China Sea. During the interview, Jing denied that China was a regional troublemaker and suggested that the Philippines should consider itself fortunate to have China as a neighbor. He stated that China could "easily win" if it chose to use force but emphasized that it prefers peace. His comments came shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. summoned Jing following a maritime incident involving the Ayungin Shoal in July 2026. The DFA highlighted the importance of diplomatic tact and restraint in maintaining open dialogue and engagement, despite differing perspectives. It urged all diplomats accredited to the Philippines to be more careful with their public statements to avoid further straining relations. The DFA's statement was issued through its West Philippine Sea spokesperson, Rogelio Villanueva Jr. In response, the Chinese embassy in Manila accused the DFA of "selective quotation and overinterpretation." It argued that diplomacy should be honest and straightforward to prevent misunderstandings and resolve differences. The embassy also claimed that certain individuals are trying to disrupt normal exchanges and cooperation between the two nations, urging the DFA to play a more responsible role in preventing such actions. The recent exchange adds to the growing tension between the Philippines and China, particularly concerning the South China Sea. The Chinese embassy has previously pointed to the Philippine Defense Secretary's decision to cut off military-to-military communication as a factor in escalating tensions at sea. However, the Philippine military has refuted these claims, asserting that the lack of direct communication channels with China is not the root cause of the disputes. The situation underscores the delicate nature of bilateral relations and the challenges faced in maintaining stable diplomatic interactions amidst territorial conflicts.