‘Very much like a threat.‘
This is how President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described the recent remarks of Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan claiming that if Beijing wanted to use force, they may ‘easily win’ against conflict with the Philippines.
In a video shared by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, Jing in a Thursday interview said that the Philippines should ‘feel fortunate’ having a neighbor country like China who ‘loves peace.’
“We should feel fortunate enough that you have a neighbour like China in this region. “If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose force, and we love peace,” Jing said.
Tarriela said that these remarks are not re-assurance, rather a direct threat against the Philippines.
He argued that Filipino fishermen driven away from Bajo de Masinloc, as well as the coast guard personnel experiencing harassment in the Philippines’ own territory do not feel fortunate and thankful.
“That is a direct threat, and wrapping it in “we love peace” does not change what it is. No people feel fortunate when a larger neighbor repeatedly violates the law and then tells them to be thankful it was not worse,” Tarriela quoted.
The Chinese Embassy of Manila responded to this matter raised by Tarriela, describing it as ‘typical shenanigans’ of the Philippine official, distorting facts and taking things out of context.
The Embassy defended Jing’s statements, clarifying that China will not be using force because it sees the Philippines as a close neighbor that they want to have stable relations with.
“We see (the) Philippines as (a) close neighbor and we want to have stable relations with our neighbor. Look at what happened in other parts of the world—Ukraine, Gaza, and even Venezuela. Our region, at least, continues to enjoy peace, and we should cherish it,” said the Embassy.
It added that both China and the Philippines should demonstrate respect, support, and help each other so as to not let the relation between the two countries deteriorate.
The Embassy likewise criticized Tarriela, claiming that he is deliberately inciting confrontation and hatred between the two nations—actions that promote an outcome that should be avoided the most: a war.
“Is there something wrong with his head? This is truly low. Or he is doing it deliberately, reflexively opposing China at every turn,” the Chinese Embassy wrote.
BILATERAL TIES AND DIPLOMACY
In connection to this, the Foreign Affairs Department of the Philippines has likewise responded to the remarks made by Jing, saying that it is regrettable that the Ambassador had a “poor choice of words.”
“It is regrettable that Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan today 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,” it noted.
The agency said that this statement has added complicity to the already complicated bilateral ties between the two nations, urging all diplomats to choose better language in public statements so as to not affect mutual trust and confidence.
With this, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines noted that diplomacy must be honest and straightforward, pointing out the selective quotation and overinterpretation that hinders effective dialogue between the two nations.
“The fundamental purpose of diplomacy is to resolve differences and disputes and to avoid conflict or even war,” it stated.
It added that “China-Philippines relations are currently at an extremely sensitive stage. Certain individuals are actively seeking to undermine normal exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.”
Further, it called on the DFA to have a more responsible role in ensuring that the China-Philippines relations remain stable, and prevent actions that undermine the exchanges of the involved countries.
During the sidelines of the 125th Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) founding anniversary on Friday, Marcos said that these remarks were not a very diplomatic statement, especially coming from an Ambassador.
“We perhaps would like to understand what exactly it is that he means. That deserves a discussion between the ambassador and myself,” Marcos confirmed.