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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH continues to engage with China over SCS issue — DFA

PH continues to engage with China over SCS issue — DFA

Published Mar 4, 2024 12:51 pm

The Philippine government has brushed off the remark made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila that Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez was supposedly using the South China Sea issue to smear China.

Asked for comment on the latest statement from the Chinese embassy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the Philippines and China "continue to engage each other through dialogue and diplomacy."

"However, the Philippines abides by the principle of respect for sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in accordance with the international law and the rules-based international order," it added.

On Sunday, the Chinese embassy made a lengthy statement after Romualdez said the real flashpoint is in the South China Sea.

Romualdez also said the Philippines needs to tie up with other countries, such as the US and Australia, to resist aggression from China.

China, in its statement, asserted its commitment to dialogue in handling disputes and its adherence to rules-based order. 

It also posed questions about what is the intent of the supposed smear campaign.

China then urged the Philippine envoy to "stop spreading erroneous 'China threat' and 'Sinophobia' remarks."

China also said Romualdez must "refrain from serving as mouthpiece for another country and do more for the benefit of his own people and his country’s relations with China instead."

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babe romualdez Department of Foreign Affairs
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