MANILA — The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned on Thursday that Beijing's "escalatory and undiplomatic tone and language" in social media posts is undermining efforts to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.

In a statement, the DFA reminded diplomats accredited to the Philippines "to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements."

The department had earlier summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over his Oct. 19 remarks, in which he said that Beijing chooses peace but could "easily win" a military conflict with Manila.

Mr. Jing's comments drew strong criticism from Filipino lawmakers. Several of them — including Senators Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel and Erwin T. Tulfo — filed resolutions urging President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and the DFA to declare him persona non grata, a diplomatic designation that would require the envoy to leave the country. The Chinese Embassy responded with cryptic warnings directed at officials, saying they would be barred from entering China.

"Such statements are not conducive to good relations nor to the effective discharge of diplomatic functions," the DFA said.

Despite the ongoing tensions, Manila remains committed to improving bilateral relations with Beijing and continues to adhere to the One China Policy — the framework under which Manila maintains formal diplomatic ties with Beijing rather than Taiwan — the agency added. It also reiterated that Manila reserves the right to take further diplomatic action against Mr. Jing and the Chinese Embassy in Manila if necessary.

In a separate statement, the embassy affirmed Beijing's continued commitment to managing differences with Manila through diplomacy, but rejected characterizations of its recent social media posts as "undiplomatic."

"[The Chinese Embassy] will not remain silent when China's interests and dignity are undermined," the embassy said. "This is the duty that [a] diplomatic mission must perform."

Meanwhile, Chinese Commercial News, a Chinese-language newspaper in the Philippines with ties to Chinese state media, reported in Mandarin that Beijing is losing patience with Manila because of "recent China-related actions and remarks" and is considering ten countermeasures.

These include diplomatic sanctions, the removal of the BRP Sierra Madre — a decommissioned Philippine Navy ship deliberately grounded on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea in 1999, with Filipino marines stationed aboard — and restrictions on Philippine travel to China. Other measures listed in the report were stricter rules on Filipinos working illegally in mainland China, a cutoff of oil and fertilizer supplies, restrictions on exports of essential goods, and the closure of some Philippine consulates in China.

The article noted that the measures have not been confirmed by Chinese authorities, adding that there is no confirmation whether they have entered the Chinese government's formal decision-making process.

When asked about the report, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said in a Viber message that it had "no comment."

Attention now turns to whether Beijing confirms any of the reported countermeasures, whether the senators' persona non grata resolutions advance, and whether Manila follows through on the further diplomatic action it says it reserves the right to take. — Francessa S. Abalos

Source: BusinessWorld