MANILA — The Philippines has again rebuked the Chinese Embassy in Manila, warning that the "escalatory and undiplomatic tone and language" of its recent social media posts erode mutual trust and severely undermine efforts to stabilise and improve relations between the two countries, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement on Thursday.
Source: BusinessWorld, Oct 22, 2026
The DFA reminded all diplomats accredited to the Philippines to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements, especially on social media, and said Manila reserved the right to take further diplomatic action against Ambassador Jing Quan and the embassy if it deemed it necessary, BusinessMirror reported. The department stopped short of declaring the ambassador persona non grata.
Source: BusinessMirror, Oct 23, 2026
The row follows the DFA's summoning of Ambassador Jing on October 19 over remarks in which he said Beijing chooses peace but could "easily win" a military conflict with Manila, BusinessWorld reported. Several Filipino lawmakers, including Senators Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel and Erwin Tulfo, criticised the remarks and filed resolutions urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the DFA to declare Jing persona non grata.
Source: BusinessWorld, Oct 22, 2026
The Chinese Embassy rejected Manila's characterisation of its posts, affirmed Beijing's commitment to managing differences through diplomacy, and said it would not remain silent when China's interests and dignity are undermined, BusinessWorld reported. In one post cited by Philippine media, the embassy told lawmakers seeking the ambassador's expulsion: "Since you don't welcome us, we don't welcome you, either."
Source: BusinessWorld, Oct 22, 2026
Despite the exchange, the DFA reiterated that the Philippines remains committed to improving bilateral relations with Beijing and continues to adhere to the One China Policy, BusinessWorld reported. The public dispute adds a social-media front to the two countries' long-running tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan.
Source: BusinessWorld, Oct 22, 2026