The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) pushed back against criticism from whom it called “casual commentators” and “self-styled extras,” saying it will not allow performative rhetoric to distract from its diplomatic work in defending Philippine maritime interests. In remarks reaffirming...
Senators on Thursday, February 12 backed calls to replace the Chinese ambassador in Manila after their embassy spokesperson released fresh tirades against members of the Senate, particularly Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said Ambassador Jing...
China’s embassy in Manila urged the Philippines to speak with a “unified and constructive voice” as it blamed Filipino officials for triggering recent exchanges amid Manila’s maritime spokesman’s call for calm and professional diplomatic engagement despite tensions. Chinese Embassy...
The Philippines’ first-ever maritime affairs spokesman has urged the Chinese embassy in Manila to “be constructive in its statements” amid its escalating word war with Filipino officials. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio Villanueva on Wednesday, Feb. 11,...
Senators have rejected the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s response to the Philippine Senate’s passage of Senate Resolution No. 256 condemning the statements it made against Philippine officials and institutions defending the country’s national sovereignty and maritime rights. Senator Francis...
Malacañang said the Philippines will maintain a “firm but diplomatic” stance toward China amid the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s more confrontational approach to dealing with issues surrounding the South China Sea. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this...
The Philippine government said that China’s action to reciprocate and declare 16 Filipinos unwelcome in the country does “not contribute to fostering good and vibrant bilateral relations.” As talks on the South China Sea conduct see signs of progress, the diplomatic disagreements between...
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) insisted on Tuesday, Feb. 10, that it will continue its transparency initiative in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stressing that telling the truth about China’s aggressive and illegal actions in the area is not an “irritant” to diplomacy but part of...
A Chinese Embassy official has criticized the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for saying that supporting China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) while undermining the Philippines’ claims amounts to treason. Deputy Spokesperson Wei Guo of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines took aim at...
China has protested the Philippines ' recent move to deploy coast guard vessels and aircraft near Bajo de Masinloc to secure Filipino fishers in the Philippine waters. Ji Lingpeng, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Manila, said Saturday, Jan. 31, that they lodged solemn representations...
The 11 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) viewed with concern land reclamation and other activities in the South China Sea as their top diplomats met in Cebu for talks over regional and global issues. ASEAN released a lengthy statement on Thursday, Jan. 29,...
The Philippines and China resumed on Thursday, Jan. 30, one of their most anticipated bilateral discussions—a political dialogue on maritime issues and other mutual interests—in a move that came as the two sides expressed willingness to end the long-running conflict in the South China Sea. The...
