ASEANEWS HEADLINE-ASIA GEOPOLITICS: MANILA: DFA to Chinese envoy: Remark ‘unacceptable’
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Philippines summons Chinese ambassador over ‘threat’ | East Asia Tonight Oct 19, 2026
The Philippines summons China’s ambassador over his remarks that Beijing could “easily win” a military confrontation between the countries. China’s foreign ministry has urged Manila to rein in on politicians it accused of harming relations. Also on East Asia Tonight: China criticises Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s offering at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine. Also, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are both in Central Asia, highlighting the region’s growing strategic importance. Meanwhile, Singapore warns of tough action against firms behind the transboundary haze.
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to formally protest his remark that China could “easily win” a confrontation with the Philippines, calling it “provocative and unacceptable” and warning that it further strained already sensitive bilateral relations.
Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro confronted Jing over his statement, which Philippine officials viewed as a threat, and condemned the Chinese Embassy’s public attacks on Filipino officials who criticized the envoy.
“Secretary Lazaro told the ambassador that the statement was provocative and unacceptable, and does not contribute to creating understanding,” the DFA said in a statement after the meeting.
Lazaro reminded Jing that such language worsened “an already sensitive bilateral atmosphere” and undermined efforts to build mutual understanding and cooperation.
READ: Chinese embassy: Ambassador was taken out of context
The DFA chief also condemned the Chinese Embassy’s public attacks on Philippine officials and legislators who criticized Jing.“It is not the place of a foreign mission to publicly criticize or taunt Philippine officials and legislators who are acting within their mandates,” it added, warning that the Philippines would not accept attempts to intimidate officials exercising their democratic rights.
“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,” the DFA said.
‘Unprecedented arrogance’
The summons came amid mounting calls from lawmakers for the envoy to be declared persona non grata.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, vice chair of the Senate committee on foreign relations, filed Senate Resolution No. 739 urging the DFA to recommend the move, citing the implications of Jing’s remark for Philippine sovereignty, national dignity and bilateral relations.
Tulfo said ties with China must be anchored on “mutual respect, constructive engagement, and peaceful dialogue.”
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said the executive branch should “seriously consider” the declaration unless Jing retracted his statement or apologized.
Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan denounced Beijing’s alleged bullying tactics, suggesting Chinese diplomats faced pressure to follow the Communist Party’s line.
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“The arrogance and bullying tactics are unprecedented and deplorable but that’s probably because should these diplomats fail to toe the party line they could very well be called back home to face the firing squad,” Pangilinan said in a social media post.
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Diplomatic engagement
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President Marcos, however, does not want to declare any foreign diplomat persona non grata, including Jing, Palace press officer Claire Castro said, stressing the administration’s preference for diplomatic engagement.
“We know the President’s position. He would not want this kind of declaration to be made against anyone, including a representative of another country here in our country,” Castro said.
She said the administration respected lawmakers’ views but preferred to let the DFA determine the appropriate steps to manage the dispute.
“Everything remains in good standing in the eyes of the President and the administration; should any such issues arise, let us allow the DFA to respond and determine the appropriate steps to further improve our engagement with China,” Castro said.
Marcos is scheduled to visit Shenzhen from Nov. 18 to 20 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting. Castro said there was no information yet on whether he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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Working with allies
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines was working with allies to deter aggressive Chinese military action, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking at a Senate hearing on the proposed 2027 defense budget, Teodoro rejected Jing’s portrayal of the Philippines as a provocateur and reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the UN Charter.
“We refute all allegations made by the ambassador that we are troublemakers and are provoking,” Teodoro said.
He cited Jing’s repeated assertion that China could easily win if it used force, saying the remark suggested a threat.
“What is being portrayed now is, ‘We can use force if we want, but we may win easily,’” Teodoro said.
He also rejected China’s claims under its nine-dash line and its assertion of a right to operate in waters surrounding Batanes province. He warned that Beijing’s maritime actions threatened other countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Japan.
Malicious attacks
Beijing, meanwhile, defended Jing and blamed Philippine politicians for worsening bilateral tensions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a media briefing in Beijing that China opposed what she described as malicious attacks against Beijing.
“To improve and develop China-Philippines relations serves the interest of both sides,” Mao said. “We firmly oppose certain Philippine individuals maliciously lashing out at China and hurting bilateral ties. The Philippine side should rein in such irresponsible behavior of those politicians.”
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In a Facebook post, the Chinese Embassy accused Philippine officials of taking Jing’s remark out of context and engaging in smear campaigns. It described calls for the envoy’s removal as “old and low tricks.”
Jing maintained that he had no intention of threatening the Philippines.
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‘Not a threat’
“My point is despite our capacity, we don’t have the intention to use force. Because we are friends and close neighbors. There is no need to resort to force,” he said.
“This is not called ‘threat,’ but the effort to uphold peace,” Jing asserted.
“We hope the Philippine side will fully and accurately understand our position and views, and avoid selective quotation, over-interpretation and over-reaction.”
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) also rebuked the embassy for questioning Filipino reporters’ understanding of facts after it accused journalists of exaggerating tensions with Beijing.
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“We remind the [Chinese] Embassy to respect the rigor, professionalism, and ethical standards with which Filipino journalists carry out their work,” the NUJP said.
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“Our work is not about creating hype but about informing the public through accurate and independent reporting,” it added, defending journalists covering Philippine-China relations and the West Philippine Sea. —With reports from Luisa Cabato, Kenneth Christiane Basilio, and Kurt Dela Peña
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