MANILA, Oct 19 (Reuters) – The Philippine foreign ministry on Monday summoned China’s ambassador to express its “serious concern and strong objection” about remarks by the envoy that it said conveyed a threat of the use of force.
Ambassador Jing Quan told media last week that China “may easily win” in a confrontation with the Philippines, but Beijing would not use force because “we love peace”. He was responding to a question about the Philippine defence secretary describing China as a regional troublemaker.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told Jing that his comments were “provocative and unacceptable” and aggravated the sensitive atmosphere between the two countries, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Sensitive issues should be addressed through established diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms that reserve space for dialogue and engagement, she said.
Diplomatic squabbles between China and the Philippines, a US ally, have become more frequent in recent years, typically over standoffs and altercations between rival vessels in the South China Sea, much of which Beijing claims sovereignty over.
Manila has accused China’s coast guard of aggressive conduct in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, while Beijing insists it is enforcing the law against vessels that are encroaching on its territory.
Asked about the summoning and calls by some lawmakers in Manila for Jing’s expulsion, China said on Monday it firmly opposes what it called the “malicious hyping” of China-related issues by some individuals.
“The Philippine side should take concrete steps to restrain such irresponsible words and actions by certain politicians,” China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press conference.
Mao also said that improving bilateral relations would benefit both countries.
China’s embassy in Manila last week said Jing had been selectively quoted and his remarks overinterpreted.
(Reporting by Mikhail Flores and Nestor Corrales; Additional reporting by Beijing Newsroon; Editing by Martin Petty and Edwina Gibbs)
