China on Locsin tweet: Mind basic manners, act according to status

The Chinese Ministry on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said a certain individual in the Philippine government should mind his manners and act in a way that suited his status.

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin made the remark a day after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. told China "to get the f—k out" of the Philippine waters.

"Facts have proven time and time again that megaphone diplomacy can only undermine mutual trust rather than change reality," Wenbin said in response to Locsin's "insulting remarks

"We hope that certain individual from the Philippine side will mind basic manners and act in ways that suit his status," he added.

Wenbin also asked the Philippines to "stop taking actions that may complicate the situation," claiming that Scarborough Shoal was part of China's jurisdiction.

Locsin has said that he had apologized to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the profanity-laced tweet over Chinese Coast Guard actions against Philippine Coast Guard vessels patrolling the Scarborough Shoal.

On Monday, Locsin did not mince his words as the DFA filed a new diplomatic protest against China for its belligerent actions against Philippine security forces conducting sovereignty patrols at the Scarborough shoal.

"China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see… O…GET THE FUCK OUT. What are you doing to our friendship? You. Not us. We’re trying. You. You’re like an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend; not to father a Chinese province," Locsin said in a tweet.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in an earlier briefing that Locsin had apologized to the Chinese ambassador

In a separate tweet, Locsin later clarified he had apologized to Foreign Minister Wang Yi and not to the ambassador.

“To my friend Wang Yi only. Nobody else,” said Locsin.

Friendly consultations

Wenbin, nonetheless, echoed President Rodrigo Duterte's statements that the West Philippine Sea dispute should not affect the ties between China and the Philippines.

"China has always been and will remain committed to properly handling differences and advancing cooperation with the Philippines through friendly consultation, and will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to the Philippines in its efforts to fight the epidemic and resume economic development," he said.

In a weekly Cabinet meeting, Duterte said the territorial dispute should not be a reason for Filipinos to be disrespectful of China.

"China remains to be our benefactor and just because, if I may just add something to the narrative, just because we have a conflict with China does not mean to say we have to be rude and disrespectful," Duterte said.

Duterte's critics, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and former Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, have repeatedly asked the President to enforce the 2016 arbitration ruling that endorsed Manila's claims over the South China Sea.  — DVM/NB, GMA News