Diplomacy with China still OK despite ambassador’s word war with PH officials—Palace

MANILA — The Philippines’ diplomatic relations with China remain sound despite Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines’ Jing Quan’s recent word war with local officials, Malacañang said on Monday.

The comments came shortly before the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the diplomat had been summoned over his controversial remarks against his host country.

Jing Quan drew controversy anew last week after the Chinese ambassador said that the Philippines should “feel fortunate enough” that Beijing does not flex its military muscle as it could “easily win” in a military confrontation against Manila.

“Nananatiling maayos sa mata ng Pangulo, sa mata ng administrasyon,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said when asked if the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China remain sound.

“Kung may mga issue na ganito, hayaan natin na ang DFA ang tumugon kung ano pa ang dapat na hakbang sa pakikipagrelasyon sa bansang China,” she told Palace reporters.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is also unlikely to heed calls to declare the Chinese ambassador persona non-grata, the Palace official said.

“Hindi niya nanaisin na magkaroon ng ganitong klaseng pagdedeklara. Kung ano man ang opinion ng ibang leader, iginagalang natin ang kanilang mga saloobin, mga opinion at nararamdaman,” she said.

“Ang Pangulo ay hindi umaakto nang hindi sa diplomatikong pamamaraan,” she said.

“Ang lahat ng sasabihin niya ay makakaapekto… kaya hindi nagiging agresibo ang Pangulo,” she added.

Shortly after the Palace press conference, the DFA confirmed that Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro summoned her Chinese counterpart “to convey the Philippines’ serious concern and strong objection to his public statement,” which Manila has described as “provocative and unacceptable, and does not contribute to creating understanding.”

“It is not the place of a foreign mission to publicly criticize or taunt Philippine officials and legislators who are acting within their mandates,” the DFA said in a statement.

“As a democracy, the Philippines values freedom of expression and a plurality of voices, and it will not accept attempts by a foreign envoy to intimidate those who exercise them,” it read.

Despite the strongly-worded rebuke, the DFA said that it “remains committed to candid dialogue and constructive engagement, in line with its mandate and the direction of the President.”

“It will keep open lines of communication with China and work to stabilize bilateral relations, especially in non-sensitive areas, while firmly upholding the country’s consistent positions on important issues,” the statement read.

The issue surrounding Jing Quan’s statement is not expected to alter the President’s plans to travel to China in November to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation  (APEC) Summit.

“Ang pakikipag usap sa liderato ng ibang bansa… ay dapat na diplomatiko, may diplomasya,” Castro said.

“Wala pong nababanggit na magkakaroon ng pagbabago ng schedule, dahil sa Pangulo po, ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa anumang bansa kasama ang China ay walang aggression, uulitin ko, nasa diplomatikong pamamaraan,” she said.

“So, hindi po natin nakikitaan na hindi itutuloy ng Pangulo, ang schedule niya, dahil isa ito sa magandang paraan upang mas maging maganda pa ang pakikipag-usap ng Pangulo at ng liderato ng China.”

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro continues to refute claims by the Chinese Ambassador that the country is the troublemaker in the West Philippine Sea.

Teodoro had earlier labelled Beijing a regional “troublemaker.”

“Consistent with our earlier pronouncements, number one, we refute all allegations made by the ambassador that we are troublemakers and are provoking,” Teodoro said during Monday’s Senate hearing on the defense budget. 

“Maliwanag po ang ating pagtutol. Hindi lang dito sa statement niya, kung hindi, the more important thing, yung kanilang false narrative na may nine-dash line,” he also said. 

Senate Finance Committee Chair JV Ejercito also clarified his own position, amid criticisms on social media for taking a hardline stance against China.

“We believe in diplomacy, but we also believe in developing good relations with our neighbors,” said Ejercito. “Pero siyempre, dapat may respeto sa isa’t-isa, Medyo hindi na maganda ang kanyang ano,  mga aksyon at mga pananalita, ‘no?”

“May halong pananakot… Very hostile and very undiplomatic,” he added.