MANILA – The Philippine government has formally rebuked China over what it described as a “coercive” warning that millions of Filipino jobs could be at risk if diplomatic tensions worsen, escalating an already fraught exchange over the West Philippine Sea.
In a strongly worded statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) protested remarks from the Chinese Embassy in Manila suggesting that downgrading bilateral relations could trigger serious economic repercussions, including widespread job losses.
“We take strong exception to the Embassy’s tone, which appears to imply that such cooperation could be withheld as a form of leverage or retaliation,” the DFA said.
The diplomatic row intensified after several Filipino senators called for the expulsion of China’s ambassador. In response, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Linpeng cautioned that strained relations could carry heavy economic costs.
“Any serious damage to diplomatic relations, including downgrading of those relations, would cost millions of jobs,” Ji said.
He further challenged lawmakers, asking: “Are these senators prepared to personally compensate those for their lost incomes? Or is grandstanding easier when someone else pays the price?”
Philippine officials said such statements risk undermining diplomatic engagement and projecting an image of economic pressure.
“The DFA values cooperation with all states across economic, cultural, and other domains, as it delivers clear benefits to the Philippines and its people,” the DFA said.
However, it warned: “In the current atmosphere, this framing risks being perceived as coercive and undermines constructive bilateral dialogue.”
The agency also called on Chinese diplomats to observe restraint and professionalism in public discourse.
“The DFA renewed its call to Chinese diplomats ‘to adopt a responsible and measured tone in public exchanges.”
Despite the sharp exchange, Manila reiterated its commitment to resolving disputes through diplomacy.
“Committed to diplomacy to stabilize and advance our bilateral relationship, notwithstanding profound differences.”
The latest flare-up unfolds against the backdrop of the long-standing territorial dispute in the South China Sea — referred to locally as the West Philippine Sea — where China’s sweeping claims overlap with areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China’s expansive maritime claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Beijing has consistently rejected the ruling./PN
