CEBU CITY – The Chinese consul general in Cebu called out the Cebu City Council for committing what she described as blatant provocation.

China's Consul General in Cebu, Zhang Zhen, warned of consequences after the City Council recently passed a resolution marking the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Celebration Day and hosting Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Monday, July 13.

“As the Chinese Consul General based in Cebu, I really did not expect such a blatant provocation,” Zhang told reporters in a press conference hours after Teodoro arrived at the Cebu City Hall.

Zhang's remarks were in response to the council's decision to invite Teodoro to an event she referred to as a "so-called collaboration ceremony."

China has sanctioned and declared Teodoro as persona non grata along with his family.

“Through this kind of move – including today’s so called collaboration ceremony – a message is being sent to China: It raises the question of whether Cebu City chooses friendship or confrontation; whether they wish to move forward with exchanges and cooperation, or choose instead to provoke China and allow such negative moves to undermine the friendship between the two sides,” added Zhang.

Through its consulate office in Cebu City, the Chinese government filed a diplomatic protest against the city’s resolution declaring July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day.

The annual observance commemorates the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's sweeping maritime claims.

Zhang reiterated that Beijing does not acknowledge the United Nations ruling.

The city government held its own official commemoration at Cebu City Hall on July 13 with Teodoro as guest.

Zhang warned that such moves may potentially harm ties between Cebu and China, saying the council's move "is not what I expect," and "will have a direct or indirect impact, whether short-term or long-term, in one way or another."

The consul general also questioned the council's motivations.

"The people of Cebu can clearly see what kind of politician is genuinely serving the people in the name of patriotism, and who is actually harming the people's well-being," Zhang said.

Last Sunday, during an activity commemorating the West Philippine Sea Victory Day led by the Armed Forces Visayas Command (Viscom), Cebu City Councilor Pablo “Paul” Labra II clarified that the observance was meant to promote peace and uphold international law, not to provoke conflict.

"Make no mistake: Our observance of West Philippine Sea Victory Day is not an expression of hostility toward any nation. It is an affirmation of our commitment to truth. It is a declaration of our respect for international law. It is a reminder that while we always choose peace, we must never surrender our principles," he said in his speech.