Chinese Embassy to DFA: Restrain ‘certain officials’ from issuing unsavory remarks

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to “play a responsible role” in retraining “certain officials” from issuing unsavory remarks against China.

Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said this “will prevent any undermining or harm to ongoing diplomatic efforts” as the word war between Chinese diplomats and some Filipino officials and lawmakers shows no sign of abating.

“China remains committed to managing differences and resolving disputes with the Philippine side through dialogue and consultation,” Ji said a day after the DFA criticized the Chinese Embassy for issuing a veiled warning that Beijing may withhold economic cooperation with the Philippines, which could result to millions of Filipinos losing their jobs.

“We urge the DFA to play a responsible role in restraining certain individuals in the Philippines from making such remarks,” he said.

The DFA said it takes strong exception to the Chinese Embassy’s tone, which appears to imply that economic and trade cooperation could be withheld as a form of leverage or retaliation against the Philippines.

The Chinese Embassy's threat is the latest in a series of escalations between the two Asian neighbors locked in years-long disputes in the South China Sea, which China claims nearly in its entirety.

Manila calls parts of the waters near the Philippine archipelago as the West Philippine Sea.

Ji did not identify the Philippine officials critical of China, but in January, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Philippine Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz to protest statements by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela.

Tarriela has openly criticized China’s increasingly aggressive actions in waters.

The Chinese Embassy also pushed back against some senators, who accused Chinese diplomats of trying to silence an independent body like the senate from voicing out their opinions on China’s violations in the West Philippine Sea.

Strongly-worded statements and social media posts from the Chinese Embassy have persisted even after the DFA protested China’s behavior and conveyed its serious concerns with the escalation of its public exchanges with Filipino lawmakers and government officials defending Manila’s rights over the West Philippine Sea.

However, Ji stressed that the embassy will “firmly oppose any slander or smear against China, as well as irresponsible remarks that incite hatred.”

While the DFA expressed support for Philippine officials, including some senators who issued remarks in defense of the country’s sovereignty and maritime rights, it expressed concern that the verbal tussle with Chinese diplomats could “unnecessarily derail the diplomatic space needed to manage the tensions in the maritime domain.” — JMA, GMA Integrated News