China on Wednesday, September 9, urged Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. to stop what Beijing described as “provocations and theatrics” following a tense exchange over the South China Sea at a security forum in Seoul, South Korea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks during a regular press briefing, with the Chinese Embassy in Manila releasing the statement in response to questions about Teodoro’s encounter with Chinese delegates at the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2026.
The exchange stemmed from a note handed to Teodoro by an unidentified Chinese delegate during the forum. The document reiterated Beijing’s position rejecting the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling.
“I’m not sure what exactly happened at the event,” Mao said when asked about the incident, before reiterating China’s position on the arbitration case.
“But China’s position has always been clear on the so-called ‘South China Sea arbitration’,” she added.
China has consistently rejected the arbitral tribunal’s 2016 decision, which was issued under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Mao accused the Philippines of improperly initiating the arbitration proceedings and said Manila had undermined the international maritime convention.
“The Philippines unilaterally initiated the case, which is a distortion and abuse of the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism,” Mao said.
“It is the Philippine side who has violated UNCLOS and undermined its integrity and authority,” she added.
Mao then called on Manila to refrain from actions that Beijing considers provocative.
“We urge the certain individual of the Philippine side to cut the provocations and theatrics, and stop undermining China-Philippines relations and stability in the South China Sea,” Mao said.
The Chinese statement followed Tuesday’s incident at the SDD, when Teodoro received a note from an unidentified Chinese participant disputing the validity of the 2016 arbitration award.
The note reportedly described the ruling as one that “violates fundamental principles of international law” and called it “illegal, null, and void.”
The arbitration decision, issued by a tribunal constituted under UNCLOS, rejected key elements of China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, including the legal foundation of its so-called nine-dash line.
Teodoro objected to the manner in which the document was delivered, stressing the importance of proper conduct and respect at international gatherings.
“How can you deal with a country in an international forum beyond the question asked to me, disrespecting the organizers of this forum?” he said.
The Philippine defense chief said the move not only “challenged” UNCLOS but also “showed disrespect” toward South Korea, which hosted the dialogue, as well as the other participants.
He concluded his remarks with a call for proper conduct, drawing applause from those in attendance.
“So perhaps, basic decency and behavior is what China needs to do. In Filipino: Maging disente lang kayo nang kaunti, mahiya naman kayo nang kaunti,” Teodoro said.