Malacañang on Friday maintained that economic ties between Manila and Beijing operate separately from their ongoing maritime dispute, reiterating that the Marcos administration remains committed to preserving diplomatic and trade relations with China.
“Iba po kasi ang relasyon natin sa China pagdating sa trade and investment. Pero iba rin po ang usapin patungkol sa pagprotekta natin sa ating teritoryo at sa ating interest sa West Philippine Sea,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a briefing.
“Hindi nakikita, hindi nais makita ng ating pamahalaan, ng Pangulo na darating yung punto na hindi magiging maganda yung relasyon ng China at Pilipinas. Kaya ang utos ng Pangulo, ang pakikipag-usap sa pamunuan ng China ay in a diplomatic manner,” Castro added.
Castro made the remarks following recent statements from Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan, who remarked that China could easily win against the Philippines but would refrain from using force due to its commitment to peace.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remarked that the comments from Ambassador Jing appeared to constitute a threat and warranted direct communication.
“Well, it sounds very much to me like a threat, and it is not a very diplomatic statement to be made. So, we, perhaps would like to understand what exactly it is that he means,” Marcos said when asked if he would summon the Chinese envoy.
When pressed on whether the diplomat would be formally summoned, Marcos stated that the situation warrants a discussion between the ambassador and himself.
Manila and Beijing remain involved in an ongoing maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea, stemming from China’s sweeping territorial claims across the South China Sea that overlap with the sovereign territories of several neighboring nations, including the Philippines.