Philippines lodges ‘firm representations’ to Chinese embassy over ‘escalating’ war of words on South China Sea

MANILA – The Philippine Foreign Ministry said on Jan 26 it had made “firm representations” to China’s embassy and its ambassador in Manila over what it described as an “escalation of public exchanges” between them and Philippine officials over disputes in the South China Sea. 

The Chinese Embassy and officials in Manila have stepped up their rhetoric in recent weeks, with the former criticising the Philippines’ coast guard spokesperson and its lawmakers.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro told Reuters last week that differences between states are best handled through diplomacy, not public exchanges.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

The Philippine Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Jan 26 that it backed statements by Philippine officials, saying these were part of their mandate to uphold the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights. At the same time, the ministry called for “sober, professional and respectful exchanges in the public sphere”. 

“The (Foreign Affairs) Department believes that circumspection in language and actions is necessary so that the exchanges... will not unnecessarily derail the diplomatic space needed to manage the tensions in the maritime domain,” the ministry said. 

Manila and Beijing have been locked in a series of maritime confrontations in recent years, with the Philippines accusing China of repeated aggressive actions inside its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including dangerous manoeuvres, the use of water cannon and the disruption of resupply missions.

Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas that fall within the EEZs of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. REUTERS