Calling out a diplomat for undiplomatic conduct toward senior elected officials of the host country and politely asking his government to recall him is not a failure of diplomacy but a dignified way to preserve bilateral ties, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday.
Lacson directed this message to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) amid the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s social media posts criticizing Philippine officials who had taken issue with Ambassador Jing Quan’s recent remarks.
On Monday, the DFA summoned Jing to formally protest his ‘provocative and unacceptable’ remark that China could ‘easily win’ a confrontation with the Philippines.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teresa Lazaro told Jing that such language ‘aggravates an already sensitive bilateral atmosphere and undermines the shared efforts of both countries to build mutual understanding and cooperation.’
She added that it is ‘not the place of a foreign mission to publicly criticize or taunt Philippine officials and legislators who are acting within their mandates,’ adding that sensitive issues are best addressed ‘through established diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms.’
The controversy arose after Jing was asked to respond to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s assertion that China is a ‘troublemaker’ in the region.
Jing said that if China had wanted to use force, it could ‘easily win.’ Following criticism from several Philippine officials, he later claimed his remarks were taken out of context, insisting that China ‘does not have the intention to use force.’
The Chinese Embassy in Manila subsequently published several social media messages criticizing Philippine officials who have openly questioned Jing’s remarks.