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Chinese flag (File photo)
The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to help curb what it described as “irresponsible remarks” from certain Filipino officials amid escalating diplomatic tensions.
The appeal came a day after the DFA criticized the embassy’s warning that strained relations between Manila and Beijing could affect employment opportunities for millions of Filipinos.
In a statement, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng urged the Philippine foreign affairs department to intervene in what he described as a growing exchange of statements between both sides.
“We urge the DFA to play a responsible role in restraining certain individuals in the Philippines from making such remarks, in order to prevent any undermining or harm to ongoing diplomatic efforts,” the embassy’s spokesperson said.
Ji reiterated that Beijing remains open to dialogue and consultation in addressing differences with Manila.
He added that while China is committed to managing disputes peacefully, it would not tolerate statements that malign the country.
“At the same time, we firmly oppose any slander or smear against China, as well as irresponsible remarks that incite hatred,” he said.
The embassy’s statement followed a DFA response issued Monday night, expressing concern over earlier remarks linking job losses among Filipinos to tensions in bilateral ties.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs notes with concern the Chinese Embassy’s statement attributing job losses among Filipinos to strained bilateral relations,” the DFA said.
The department emphasized that the Philippines continues to value cooperation across multiple sectors.
It stressed that it “values cooperation with all states across economic, cultural, and other domains, as it delivers clear benefits to the Philippines and its people.”
However, the DFA rejected the tone of the embassy’s earlier warning.
“However, we take strong exception to the Embassy’s tone, which appears to imply that such cooperation could be withheld as a form of leverage or retaliation,” the DFA said.
“In the current atmosphere, this framing risks being perceived as coercive and undermines constructive bilateral dialogue,” the department added.
The exchange underscores ongoing friction between Manila and Beijing as both sides navigate sensitive diplomatic and regional security issues.