Philippines hits back at Chinese envoy over 'thinly veiled threat' of force
The foreign ministry called the envoy’s words a thinly veiled threat as Manila and Beijing remain locked in maritime disputes and suspended military talks.
- On Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs rebuked Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan for remarks made in Quezon City, saying they conveyed a "thinly veiled threat of the use of force" against the Philippines.
- During a speech at Diliman College on Thursday, Jing told reporters that while China "may easily win" a conflict, it would not resort to force, claiming the Philippines is "fortunate to have a neighbor like China."
- Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela condemned the envoy's comments as a "direct threat," rejecting the assurance of peace: "A guest who reminds his host that he could easily beat him up, but has graciously decided not to, is not describing friendship."
- The DFA urged diplomats to exercise "tact and restraint" to preserve dialogue, while Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro maintains suspension of direct military communications with Beijing over security concerns.
- Teodoro labeled Beijing a regional "troublemaker" earlier in the week, as the two nations face recurring confrontations in the South China Sea where Beijing claims territory despite the 2016 Arbitral Award invalidating its historical assertions.
17 Articles
17 Articles
The Chinese ambassador to the Philippines stated that China could easily defeat the Philippines if it chose to use force, but affirmed that China cherishes peace and does not wish to use force to resolve maritime disputes.
Philippines hits back at Chinese envoy over 'thinly veiled threat' of force
The Philippines has chided China's ambassador for what it interpreted as a "thinly veiled threat" of force, after Beijing's envoy said his country would prevail in a confrontation between them.
China ‘loves peace’ but could ‘easily win’ confrontation with Philippines – ambassador
China’s ambassador to Manila has said Beijing could “easily win” a conflict with the Philippines, though it would never choose force, comments the archipelago nation said could be read as a “thinly veiled threat”. Beijing claims most of the South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and Philippine and […]
The Straits Times
Free Malaysia Today NewsChina says can ‘easily win’ confrontation with Philippines
In response, Manila said the comments could be read as a “thinly veiled threat”. Read more at straitstimes.com.
DFA admonishes China envoy over ‘thinly veiled threat on use of force’
Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan asserts that Beijing is no troublemaker while saying Manila should 'feel fortunate' that China does not use force, even though it could 'easily win' if it does
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