🇵🇭🇨🇳 Manila Rebukes Chinese Envoy

The Philippines on Oct. 16 criticised China’s ambassador after envoy Jing Quan said Beijing “may easily win” in a confrontation with Manila, though it would not use force. The foreign ministry said the remarks were a poor choice of words and unhelpful, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said they sounded like a threat, according to reporting on the exchange in Manila.

The comments followed a question to Jing about the Philippine defence secretary calling China a regional troublemaker. The dispute comes amid repeated confrontations between the two sides over reefs and islands in the South China Sea that Manila says lie within its exclusive economic zone, with bilateral ties already under strain.

China’s embassy said the ambassador had been selectively quoted and described Manila’s reaction as an over-interpretation. Beijing’s foreign ministry said relations were at an extremely sensitive stage and urged the Philippine side to understand China’s position accurately.

#Philippines #China

@asianomics