First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos meeting Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan at a recent concert neither reflected the administration's policy making, nor linked to diplomatic matters, Malacañang said.

"Unang-una po, kung dumalo man ang ating Unang Ginang sa mga public consular events, hindi po ito nagri-reflect ng policy direction at hindi po ito nali-link sa anumang diplomatic matters (First of all, even if our First Lady attended public consular events, this does not reflect any policy direction and is not linked to any diplomatic matters)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in briefing on Monday, Feb. 2.

It came amid calls to declare the Chinese envoy persona non grata over his statements against Filipino officials. The call, however, has since been rejected by President Marcos.

Castro also pointed out that while lawmakers and other officials called to declare the Chinese Ambassador persona non grata and the President rejected the calls, "there can be no claim of a political impasse between the legislative and executive.

"May kanya-kanya po kasing opinyon. Ang Kongreso po ay may sarili silang mga activities na hindi naman po saklaw ng Pangulo, puwede po nilang ituloy iyon kung iyon po ang nakikita nila (People have their own opinions. Congress has its own activities that are not under the President’s authority, and they may proceed with them if they see fit)," Castro said.

"Pero sa Pangulo po, alam po natin na ang polisiya po ng Pangulo at ng DFA ay maganda pong pag-uusap, diplomasya para sa mga ganitong usapin sa bansang China (But as far as the President is concerned, we know that the policy of the President and the DFA is to engage in constructive dialogue and diplomacy on issues like these with China)," Castro added.

When asked if the First Lady's meeting with the Chinese Ambassador would help deescalate the word war between the Chinese Embassy and Filipino officials, Castro maintained that the Philippines will continue to handle the issues with China in a diplomatic manner.

"Alam naman po kasi ng bansang China na ang ating Pangulo at ang administrasyon na ito ay tanging diplomasya ang nais para maayos kung anuman po ang isyu. So, naramdaman po iyan ng China, malamang, kaya po hindi na po kinakailangan na magkaroon ng init or initan sa pagitan po ng dalawang bansa (China knows that our President and this administration want nothing but diplomacy to properly address whatever issues there may be. So China has likely sensed this, which is why there is no need for heightened tensions or hostility between the two countries)," Castro said.

It can be recalled that on Jan. 30, the President said "no" to calls declaring the Chinese envoy persona non grata.

Malacañang earlier said that any move to declare Chinese embassy officials persona non grata would be treated as a last resort, stressing that such action carries serious diplomatic consequences and must be carefully weighed.

A "word war" has ensued between the Chinese Embassy and several Filipino officials over issues in the West Philippine Sea.

The Chinese Ambassador made a pronouncement that would be willing to leave the Philippines if President Marcos asked him to do so.