Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan has distanced the Chinese government from State-run China Daily's controversial AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, insisting the publication's content was not directed by Beijing.

"I think our spokesperson said very clearly, it's just the media's action. And it's nothing related to government," Jing told reporters after meeting President Marcos in Malacañan on July 21.

"And there are so many media in China. We cannot ask each media, each video, each article, each paper, you know, to try to control," he added.

The ambassador declined to comment further, saying, "Actually, you know, when we say we don't have comments, that's our position."

Jing nevertheless urged the Philippines and China to continue engaging despite longstanding maritime disputes, saying both countries should prioritize negotiations over confrontation.

"So our principle is always, first, let's talk, negotiation, sit down, calm down, find a way, address each other's concern if we have differences," he said.

He said that if disagreements could not be resolved immediately, both sides should "put those differences aside" and pursue areas where cooperation remained possible.

Jing cited the 2018 memorandum of understanding on joint oil and gas development, saying both countries had missed opportunities because of political tensions.

"If we started eight years ago, maybe we already benefit from our cooperation," he said, adding, "If we start today, maybe in three years we can have the first barrel of gas."

He also called on both countries to stop trading accusations and instead focus on practical cooperation.

"Let's do something, take some action, not always talk, blame each other, point fingers at each other... Let's do something, treat each other like neighbors, friends," he said.

Jing's remarks came less than a week after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) formally protested China Daily's publication of AI-generated videos and editorial cartoons portraying Filipinos in a racist and dehumanizing manner in connection with the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

The DFA said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim raised the issue directly with Jing before the Philippines lodged a diplomatic protest demanding the immediate removal of the offensive materials, while the Philippine Embassy in Beijing also sent a formal letter to China Daily's editor-in-chief.

President Marcos has since backed the DFA's condemnation, with Malacañang saying the President personally viewed the video and supports the actions taken by the DFA and the Department of National Defense.

The controversy stemmed from a July 10 video posted by the Chinese state-owned newspaper showing a monkey dressed in a barong Tagalog and salakot while mocking the Philippines' legal victory in the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling, drawing condemnation from senior Philippine officials.

Jing's comments also came a day after another confrontation at Ayungin Shoal, where the Armed Forces of the Philippines said a Philippine Navy servicemember was injured after allegedly being struck with a wooden baton by China Coast Guard personnel.