The Chinese Embassy in Manila has challenged Philippine lawmakers to act on calls to declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata.
In a series of social media posts, the embassy dared senators and House members to proceed with the proposed move, while accusing some Philippine politicians and journalists of exaggerating Beijing’s statements and fueling anti-China sentiment.
“Some senators and house representatives are talking about declaring the Chinese ambassador persona non grata. Is this threat or coercion? But anyway, just do it. Otherwise, STOP BLUFFING,” the embassy said.
It also warned that China would not tolerate what it described as “ill-intentioned remarks, smears or provocations,” adding that anyone who attempts to provoke Beijing would be “pushed back.”
The embassy further accused some Philippine officials of using national security concerns for political gain while disregarding proposals for dialogue and stronger bilateral relations.
The statements drew a sharp response from Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, who criticized the ambassador for challenging lawmakers while in the Philippines.
“This is how boastful the foreign Ambassador is while inside our own country. After threatening us, he is the one being prideful and challenging an entire branch of government, the legislature,” Tarriela said.
The embassy also accused Tarriela of threatening Jing in a separate post that cited a translated version of the coast guard official’s remarks.
Tarriela rejected the embassy’s interpretation, responding: “Lost in translation, or just consistently lying, Ambassador Jing Quan? Chinongaling!”
Senators call for Jing’s expulsion
Several lawmakers have called for Jing to be declared persona non grata following his remarks suggesting that China could easily defeat the Philippines if it chose to use force in resolving disputes.
Senator JV Ejercito described the ambassador as arrogant and said his continued presence in the country would not help repair bilateral relations.
“We need to exhaust all diplomatic means. It’s just right for Marcos to call him. But with the attitude, I think we need to declare him persona non grata. Beijing should have him replaced,” Ejercito said.
He added, “If they really want to repair our relations, having him as ambassador won’t help.”
Ejercito also clarified that his criticism was directed at what he described as Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expansionist policy, not the Filipino-Chinese community.
Senator Francis Pangilinan likewise urged Jing to leave the country, criticizing what he described as the ambassador’s arrogant and condescending behavior.
“By way of diplomatic language, you can please easily leave Manila and go back to China,” Pangilinan said.
“We do not need foreign guests in the form of arrogant, condescending diplomats,” he added.
Marcos to summon Chinese ambassador
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he intends to summon Jing to discuss the ambassador’s controversial remarks, which the President viewed as a threat against the Philippines.
“It sounds very much to me like a threat, and it is not a very diplomatic statement to be made,” Marcos said.
“We perhaps would like to understand what exactly it is that he means,” he added, saying the matter warranted a discussion between them.
The Chinese Embassy welcomed the planned meeting, describing it as an opportunity for face-to-face communication on sensitive issues affecting bilateral relations.
“Ambassador Jing looks forward to exchanging views on certain important and sensitive issues with the President. Especially how to prevent some individuals from pushing bilateral relations into a dangerous situation,” the embassy said.
Malacañang, meanwhile, maintained that the Philippines must continue pursuing diplomatic dialogue with China while protecting its sovereignty and national interests.
Palace press officer Claire Castro stressed that economic ties with Beijing should be distinguished from the country's position on territorial and maritime disputes.
“Our trade relationship with China is different. And it is also a different matter when it comes to protecting our territory and interests in the West Philippine Sea,” Castro said.
She added that Marcos wants Philippine officials to communicate with Chinese leaders diplomatically to prevent further deterioration of relations.
Beijing defends ambassador’s remarks
Jing made the controversial statement on Thursday, October 15, following criticism from Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who had described China as a regional troublemaker.
“You should feel fortunate enough that you have a neighbor like China in this region. If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose force, and we love peace,” Jing said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) criticized the statement as a poor choice of words that appeared to constitute a “thinly veiled threat” of the use of force.
Teodoro also rejected the possibility that the ambassador had simply misspoken, saying: “That was not a slip of the tongue…That is a threat. They are intimidating us.”
China’s Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Chen Xi subsequently criticized Teodoro, accusing him of taking an extreme anti-China position to gain political influence and expand military power by highlighting external threats.
Chen maintained that Beijing remained committed to protecting its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, while promoting peace and cooperation in the South China Sea.
The diplomatic tensions come amid the longstanding territorial and maritime dispute between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, particularly in areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone that Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.
In 2016, an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ruled in favor of the Philippines in key aspects of its case against China, rejecting the legal basis for Beijing’s expansive historic-rights claims within the so-called nine-dash line.
China has rejected the ruling, maintaining its claims over the disputed waters.
The Philippines continues to assert its maritime rights under international law, while encounters involving Chinese and Philippine vessels in disputed areas remain a recurring source of tension.
