The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Friday cautioned that proposals by some Philippine senators to target Chinese diplomats could harm economic relations between the two countries and potentially affect “millions of jobs” for Filipinos.
Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng criticized calls to declare a Chinese diplomat “persona non grata” or to recall the Chinese ambassador, describing the moves as political “posturing” and stressing that only the Philippine executive branch has the authority to pursue such actions.
“Any serious damage to diplomatic relations, including downgrading of those relations, would cost millions of jobs,” Ji said.
The embassy’s warning came amid renewed tensions linked to the West Philippine Sea dispute and followed Senate President Tito Sotto’s response to the Chinese embassy’s earlier remarks regarding Senate Resolution No. 256, which condemned what lawmakers described as improper criticism of Philippine officials defending sovereignty and maritime rights.
In a message to reporters on Thursday, Sotto said: “When someone triggers you to react and you do not, it’s annoying! I prefer to be annoying!”
Ji also took aim at the tone of some lawmakers, saying: “When it comes to serious diplomatic affairs, some politicians behave like children playing house. Could they at least try to act like adults?”
While Senate leadership has yet to issue an official response to the latest embassy statement, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima condemned Ji’s remarks and told Chinese officials: “To the officials of the Chinese Embassy: You are not in China. This is the Philippines. Here, we kick dictators out, not worship them.”
Separately, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson for maritime affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. said the agency would continue handling the West Philippine Sea dispute in a “firm and professional” manner, adding: “Our work is not for fanfare, not for followers, and certainly not for likes.”
