MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has appealed for strict diplomatic restraint after Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan asserted that Beijing holds a military advantage and could easily prevail in a conflict, though he maintained that China would not resort to force.
In an official statement released late Thursday, October 15, the DFA expressed concern that the Chinese envoy’s assertions carried the undertones of intimidation.
The department cautioned that utilizing such language only serves to damage mutual trust and hinder meaningful, constructive communication between Manila and Beijing.
“The business of diplomacy requires tact and restraint in order to create space necessary for discourse, dialogue and engagement, regardless of the disparity in positions or perspectives,” the DFA stated.
“It is regrettable that Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan today [Oct. 15] had a poor choice of words that would seem to convey a thinly veiled threat of the use of force, which is hardly helpful in the context of the complicated bilateral ties between the Philippines and China,” the agency added.
Aside from addressing the envoy’s comments, the department issued a reminder to all foreign diplomats serving in the country, urging them to exercise heightened caution and responsibility when making public remarks.
“It is hoped that all diplomats accredited to the Philippines take greater care in the language used in public statements so as not to further erode mutual trust and confidence, nor derail the advancement of dialogue and constructive engagement,” the DFA emphasized.
The foreign department’s latest response came on the heels of Ambassador Jing’s statements earlier that day.
During his media engagement, the envoy pushed back against criticisms labeling Beijing as a regional agitator, claiming that despite China’s military capability, it has no intention of utilizing force.