Philippines summons Chinese envoy over remarks Manila calls a threat
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The gist
The Philippines summoned China's ambassador Jing Quan after he said China could "easily win" a war but would not choose force.
The exchange tests how far Manila will push back on Beijing's envoys amid South China Sea tensions.
Background
The Philippines and China have long clashed over South China Sea territories, with tense confrontations at sea and heated verbal exchanges escalating under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; China claims virtually the entire waterway, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have separate claims. The Marcos administration has broadened military and defense engagements with treaty ally the United States and other security allies, including scaling up joint combat exercises in the South China Sea. The dispute flared again after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called China a "troublemaker," prompting Ambassador Jing Quan's remarks to reporters in Manila.
How it unfolded
- Oct 15, 2026Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, asked at a Manila forum about Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s "troublemaker" remark, called it "nonsense" and said the Philippines should feel fortunate to have China as a neighbor.
- Oct 19, 2026Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro summoned Jing Quan and conveyed "serious concern and strong objection," calling his remarks "provocative and unacceptable."
- Oct 19, 2026China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs backed its ambassador and called the Philippine response an overreaction.
- Oct 22, 2026The Philippine Foreign Ministry criticized the "aggressive and undiplomatic tone and language" of recent Chinese Embassy social media messages, saying they erode mutual trust.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Foreign Secretary Lazaro said the ambassador's statement was "provocative and unacceptable and does not contribute to creating understanding," and the department said the Philippines will not accept attempts by a foreign envoy to intimidate those exercising free expression.
- Official
- Ambassador Jing Quan said the "troublemaker" characterization was "nonsense" and that "if we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose force and we love peace."
- Official
- China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said "certain individuals" are "maliciously hyping up China-related issues" and the Philippines "should rein in the irresponsible words and actions of individual politicians."