The Chinese Embassy in Manila clarified that imposing sanctions on Philippine officials critical of Beijing is not part of its options, amid calls to recall Ambassador Jing Quan.
Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said lawmakers are free to express their views, while the embassy also reserves the right to respond.
He emphasized that no one should be silenced, but the embassy has the freedom to reply to criticisms.
The statement came after suggestions that Filipino legislators opposing China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea could face travel bans to China, Macao, and Hong Kong.
Ji dismissed such notions, stressing that the embassy’s engagement remains within diplomatic norms.