Chinese Embassy calls on DFA to restrain PH officials from making 'irresponsible remarks'
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After the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) rebuked the Chinese Embassy's warning that strained bilateral relations could cost millions of jobs for Filipinos, the embassy appealed to the department to "play a role" in preventing Filipino officials from making remarks that smear China.
In a statement on Tuesday, Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Ji Lingpeng sought the DFA's intervention in the ongoing "word war" between Filipino officials and the Chinese Embassy in Manila in order to prevent "harm to ongoing diplomatic efforts" between the two countries.
"We urge the DFA to play a responsible role in restraining certain individuals in the Philippines from making such remarks, in order to prevent any undermining or harm to ongoing diplomatic efforts," the embassy's spokesperson said.
Ji reiterated that China remains committed to managing differences and resolving disputes with the Philippine side through dialogue and consultation.
However, China stands firm in opposing any slander, including remarks that incite hatred, the embassy official added.
"At the same time, we firmly oppose any slander or smear against China, as well as irresponsible remarks that incite hatred," he said.
The embassy's call followed the DFA's statement on Monday night, stressing its concern over the Chinese Embassy's warning that the current row between Filipino officials and the embassy could cost millions of jobs for Filipinos.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs notes with concern the Chinese Embassy's statement attributing job losses among Filipinos to strained bilateral relations," the DFA said, stressing that it "values cooperation with all states across economic, cultural, and other domains, as it delivers clear benefits to the Philippines and its people."
"However, we take strong exception to the Embassy's tone, which appears to imply that such cooperation could be withheld as a form of leverage or retaliation," the DFA said.
"In the current atmosphere, this framing risks being perceived as coercive and undermines constructive bilateral dialogue," the department added.