The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has sharply criticized Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan following public statements that the agency warned contained a “thinly veiled threat of the use of force” amid ongoing maritime tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
The DFA issued its official response late Thursday night, shortly after the Chinese Embassy in Manila published Ambassador Jing’s remarks delivered during the Second Diliman Dialogue.
According to the embassy’s account, Jing told reporters that if conflict were to break out between the two nations, China “may easily win, but we will not use of force, as we love peace.”
In the same post on X (formerly Twitter), the Chinese Embassy also launched a direct attack against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, accusing him of spreading misinformation and inciting conflict.
“It is truly unfortunate that there are people like Tarriela, who spend their days scheming to undermine China-Philippines relations, incite confrontation and hatred, and promote precisely the outcome that should be avoided most: a war between China and the Philippines,” the embassy posted.
Rebuffing the ambassador’s statements, the DFA stressed that professional diplomatic engagement requires measured language and restraint, particularly during times of strained bilateral relations.
“The business of diplomacy requires tact and restraint in order to create space necessary for discourse, dialogue and engagement, regardless of the disparity in positions or perspectives,” the department stated.
“It is regrettable that Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan today had a poor choice of words that would seem to convey a thinly veiled threat of the use of force, which is hardly helpful in the context of the complicated bilateral ties between the Philippines and China,” the DFA added.
The department urged all foreign diplomats accredited to the Philippines to exercise caution with their public commentary to prevent further erosion of mutual trust or obstructing avenues for constructive dialogue.
Despite the sharp exchange, the Chinese Embassy noted that Jing also emphasized during his address that both nations ought to manage their differences through negotiation and avoid actions that could escalate regional tensions.