Philippines, China officials resume COC talks after year-long hiatus
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected calls from some lawmakers to declare Chinese ambassador Jing Quan and other embassy officials persona non grata after their recent verbal tussle with Filipino officials over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Mr. Marcos’ response was a firm “no” to calls to expel certain Chinese embassy officials.
“The President’s response regarding the call to declare an ambassador persona non grata is no,” the Palace official said.
Despite recent public exchanges on the WPS issue, senior Filipino and Chinese officials held talks Thursday on the sidelines of the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on the Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, marking the resumption of talks after more than a year-long hiatus.
In separate statements, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Chinese Embassy in Manila announced that both countries agreed to continue maintaining communication through diplomatic channels.
“They underscored the importance of sustained diplomatic dialogue and continued cooperation across all sectors,” the DFA said.
“The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on maritime affairs and other issues of mutual interest and agreed to continue to maintain communication through diplomatic channels,” the Chinese Embassy added.
For his part, Senator Robin Padilla said calling for the declaration of certain Chinese embassy officials persona non grata might lead to retaliatory action from Beijing.
“Because of such calls, the Chinese might get truly pissed off and decide to invade us,” Padilla said.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Senator Imee Marcos, a member of the minority, was not being replaced as chairperson of the Upper Chamber’s foreign relations committee because she did not sign a proposed resolution condemning the statements of Chinese Embassy officials.
“There are important treaties and agreements pending in the committee that are of great concern to members of the majority. So, we discussed it and we decided that we should give it to a member of the majority,” Sotto said.
Sotto said Senator Erwin Tulfo has long shown interest in heading the committee.
Lawmakers earlier floated the idea of declaring certain Chinese Embassy officials persona non grata, a move that the Palace and the DFA said was “an option of last resort” as such a move carries serious diplomatic consequences and should be undertaken only after careful consideration.
In response, the Chinese Embassy said there was no need to pass a Senate resolution since President Marcos can do the “most straightforward approach.”
“In the Philippines, there is but one person who has the authority to ask Ambassador Jing to leave, and that is President Marcos. If he were to receive such notice from President Marcos, he would depart immediately. But he would do so with immense pride and honor, knowing that through his actions, he has fulfilled the firm commitment a Chinese diplomat makes to his country,” Chinese embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said.
A recent OCTA nationwide survey found 79 percent of respondents identified China as the country’s biggest external threat while 60 percent of Filipino adults believe the Philippines should not trust China.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos says ‘no’ to ‘persona non grata’ tag for Chinese envoys.”
