Philippines Summons China's Envoy Over Remarks Conveying 'Threat' of Force
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned China's ambassador, Jing Quan, to express its 'serious concern and strong objection' to remarks by the envoy that it said conveyed a threat of the use of force, Reuters reported on October 19. Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told Jing his comments to media last week were 'provocative and unacceptable', the department said in a statement.
Jing had told reporters that China would 'easily win' a conflict with the Philippines but Beijing would not use force because 'we love peace', responding to the Philippine defence secretary's labelling of Beijing as a regional 'troublemaker'; he added that Manila should 'feel fortunate' to have China as a neighbour. The comments drew criticism from Philippine politicians, with at least two sitting senators calling for the envoy to be expelled. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on October 16 that the remarks 'sound very much to me like a threat' and were not appropriate diplomatic language.
Monday's statement said such language aggravates an already sensitive bilateral atmosphere and undermines efforts to build mutual understanding and cooperation, and that sensitive issues should be addressed through established diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms. 'The Department reserves the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary,' it said. China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment; last week it said Jing had been selectively quoted and his remarks over-interpreted. Diplomatic rows between the two neighbours have become more frequent in recent years, typically over standoffs in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：马尼拉天际线。来源：Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 4.0 / Photo: The Manila skyline. Source: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
