Declaring that China could “easily win” a conflict against the Philippines, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan sparked an immediate diplomatic crisis in Manila, prompting a Philippine senator to file a formal resolution seeking the envoy’s expulsion and a stern rebuke from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Senate Resolution No. 739, filed by Senator Erwin Tulfo, expresses the chamber’s serious concern over Ambassador Jing’s remarks, which the measure describes as a threat involving “the potential use of force against the Philippines.” The resolution calls on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to declare Jing persona non grata due to the severity of his statements and their implications for national sovereignty, dignity, and bilateral relations.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Ambassador Jing on October 16 following a dialogue organized by the Philippines-China Studies Center of Diliman College in Quezon City. Jing asserted that the Philippines was fortunate to have a neighbor like China, adding that if they want to use force, they may easily win. Jing maintained that China will not choose force and loves peace in the region.
Jing’s comments were a direct reply to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who stated the previous day that China is the lone “troublemaker” in Southeast Asia because of its aggressive actions inside Philippine-claimed portions of the South China Sea. That remark followed Vice President Sara Duterte’s response to revelations about her husband’s alleged China-linked business dealings during her ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed the ambassador’s remarks, stating that they “sound very much like a threat.” The DFA summoned the Chinese envoy to express serious concern and strong objection to the comments. Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told Jing that provocative and unacceptable comments aggravate an already sensitive bilateral atmosphere, according to a department statement. Lazaro added that the DFA will maintain open lines with China and work to stabilize relations in non-sensitive areas while firmly upholding the country’s consistent positions on important issues.
Ambassador Jing, who began his posting last December, was previously summoned by the Philippine government in July following an incident at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands where a Philippine marine was injured during a melee with the China Coast Guard. That confrontation represents one of a string of confrontations in contested parts of the South China Sea involving ramming tactics and high-pressure water cannons deployed mostly by the China Coast Guard.
Following initial discussions among senators over the weekend regarding a persona non grata declaration, the Chinese Embassy in Manila posted a defiant response on Facebook challenging the government to follow through. The embassy post stated that they are fed up with these old and low tricks and dared authorities to act quickly and immediately, implying that any such move would be followed by the reciprocal expulsion of the Philippine ambassador to Beijing.
Senate Pursuit and Embassy Response Strain China-Philippines Relations
While the DFA is unlikely to formally declare Ambassador Jing persona non grata, the decision by the Senate to pursue the issue and the undiplomatic response from the Chinese embassy demonstrate the depth of the trench to which China-Philippines relations have fallen.
