MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned that China’s move to bar several officials of Kalayaan, Palawan from entering its territories risks further straining already fragile Philippines–China ties, saying the action runs counter to both countries’ avowed commitment to improve bilateral engagement and people-to-people exchanges.
In a statement, the DFA underscored that while entry bans fall within a state’s sovereign authority, such measures do little to promote constructive diplomacy.
“While preventing the entry of foreign nationals into their territory is a country’s sovereign prerogative, such actions do not contribute to fostering good and vibrant bilateral relations, especially in reinvigorating people-to-people interaction, which both the Philippines and China have committed to,” the DFA said.
China recently declared several Kalayaan town officials persona non grata and prohibited them from entering mainland China, as well as Hong Kong and Macau.
The ban came after the municipal government of Kalayaan — which administers parts of the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea — passed resolutions declaring Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan persona non grata and barring him from visiting the Kalayaan islands.
Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng defended Beijing’s decision, citing reciprocity.
“The so-called ‘Kalayaan Municipality’ council of the Philippines adopted resolutions in 2023 and 2026 declaring the Chinese ambassador to be a persona non grata in the municipality,” Ji said in a statement.
“Based on the principle of reciprocity, the individuals involved in fabricating the said resolutions are not welcome to enter China, including Hong Kong and Macao,” he added.
Those barred from entering China include Kalayaan Mayor Beltzasar S. Alindogan, Vice Mayor Maurice Phillip Alexis S. Albayda, along with several councilors and other local officials.
The latest diplomatic exchange follows similar actions in 2023, when Kalayaan declared then-Chinese envoy Huang Xilian persona non grata.
Earlier, Jing said he would immediately leave the Philippines “with immense pride and honor” if he were declared persona non grata nationwide, after a Senate resolution was filed denouncing statements from the Chinese Embassy against Filipino officials critical of Beijing.
The DFA did not announce any retaliatory action but reiterated the Philippines’ position of maintaining diplomatic channels even amid disputes, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, where tensions between Manila and Beijing have persisted./PN
