China’s ambassador to the Philippines stated that Beijing could “easily win” a conflict with the archipelago nation but emphasized that China would prefer to avoid using force, remarks that Philippine officials described as a thinly veiled threat. The comments come amid ongoing tensions between the two countries over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
China claims sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, a claim invalidated by an international tribunal ruling in 2016. Nonetheless, Chinese and Philippine vessels have frequently clashed in the waters, sometimes resulting in physical confrontations and injuries. The disputed areas remain a flashpoint in bilateral relations.
Speaking in Manila on Thursday, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan addressed local media following a speech at a school. “If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose force, and we love peace,” he said. He also criticized Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro’s recent characterization of China as a “troublemaker” in the region, calling that label “nonsense.” Jing accused the Philippines of harassing Chinese workers and teachers but did not provide specific details.
The Philippine government responded promptly, with the foreign ministry issuing a statement condemning Jing’s remarks as “hardly helpful” and expressing disappointment over what appeared to be a threat of military action. Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela described the ambassador’s statements as a “direct threat” in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Tarriela asserted that no country feels “fortunate” when a larger neighbor violates international law and expects gratitude for refraining from violence. He added that the repeated use of non-violent coercion, such as ramming and water cannon attacks against Philippine vessels, does not constitute peace.
In response, the Chinese embassy in Manila defended Ambassador Jing’s comments, accusing Rear Admiral Tarriela of taking them out of context and attempting to undermine bilateral relations. The embassy highlighted the longstanding historical and cultural ties between China and the Philippines and expressed a desire for stable relations between the two nations.
Recent incidents have intensified the maritime dispute. Last week, the Philippine Coast Guard accused Chinese counterparts of obstructing the medical evacuation of a Filipino soldier near a contested shoal in the South China Sea, further straining interactions in the disputed waters.
The exchange underscores the fragile nature of China-Philippines relations amidst competing claims in the South China Sea, where both sides seek to assert their sovereignty while managing the risk of escalation.