The Chinese embassy in Manila warned that escalating rhetoric against Beijing’s envoy could threaten millions of Filipino jobs, following calls from senators to replace Ambassador Jing Quan.
Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng criticized Senators JV Ejercito and Raffy Tulfo, who suggested bilateral ties might improve if Jing were recalled.
Ji stressed that such demands were beyond the lawmakers’ authority and amounted to political posturing.
“Some senators are still urging the ‘recall of the aggressive and sensitive Chinese Ambassador.’ Who do they think they are? Do they even have the capability?” he said.
Ji accused the senators of grandstanding.
“They know they can’t do that, yet they keep repeating the same old tricks—always posturing, always bluffing,” he added.
The spokesperson highlighted the economic risks of strained relations.
“Any serious damage to diplomatic relations, including downgrading of those relations, would cost millions of jobs. Are these senators prepared to personally compensate those for their lost incomes? Or is grandstanding easier when someone else pays the price?” Ji warned.
He also criticized the lawmakers’ understanding of diplomacy.
“Could they at least try to act like adults? If they don’t understand how diplomacy works, they can learn. Spouting nonsense only exposes their ignorance and arrogance that seems to come from nowhere,” he said.
The warning came as the Senate adopted Resolution No. 256, condemning statements from the Chinese Embassy that criticized Philippine officials for asserting sovereignty and maritime rights.