The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday again called out the Chinese Embassy in Manila over its latest social media posts, saying their ‘escalatory and undiplomatic’ tone has undermined efforts to stabilize bilateral relations, but stopped short of declaring Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata.
In a strongly worded statement, the DFA reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy while reminding all diplomats accredited to the country to observe restraint and responsibility in their public statements.
‘The escalatory and undiplomatic tone and language used in the latest social media statements of the Chinese Embassy erode mutual trust and confidence, and severely undermine the efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations,’ the DFA said.
The latest rebuke came just three days after Ambassador Jing was summoned by the DFA over remarks that triggered criticism from lawmakers and security officials, who viewed them as an attempt to pressure Manila over its policies toward Taiwan, the West Philippine Sea, and its growing security cooperation with allies.
Instead of easing tensions following the October 19 summons, the Chinese Embassy launched a series of social media posts defending the ambassador and taking aim at Filipino lawmakers who had called for diplomatic action against him.
Among the most controversial was a post featuring Senate Resolution No. 746 filed by Risa Hontiveros, which urged President Marcos Jr. to declare Ambassador Jing *persona non grata* or request his recall.
The embassy accompanied the resolution with the caption: ‘Since you don’t welcome us, we don’t welcome you, either. Fair enough.’
The post quickly drew attention as one of the sharpest public responses yet by the embassy to calls for the envoy’s expulsion.
The embassy’s online campaign came after several lawmakers criticized Ambassador Jing for warning that China-Philippines relations had reached an ‘extremely sensitive and critical juncture,’ remarks that some officials interpreted as a threat.
The DFA’s latest statement appeared aimed directly at the embassy’s continuing online attacks.
‘All diplomats are expected to conduct and express themselves in a manner befitting diplomatic envoys, especially on social media,’ the department said.
It added that the embassy’s recent statements did not reflect the ‘longstanding spirit of constructive engagement’ between Manila and Beijing.
‘Such statements are not conducive to good relations nor to the effective discharge of diplomatic functions,’ it said.
At the same time, the DFA reiterated that the Philippines remains committed to the One China Policy, which is anchored on the 1975 Philippines-China Joint Communiqué.
‘The People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government of China,’ the DFA said, adding that the Philippines fully understands and respects Beijing’s position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.
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The statement also appeared intended to dispel Beijing’s serious concern that the ‘Philippine side continued to make negative moves on Taiwan-related issues.’
Despite mounting calls from lawmakers for stronger action against Ambassador Jing, the DFA stopped short of announcing any punitive measure.
Instead, it left open the possibility of future steps.
‘The DFA likewise reiterates that it reserves the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary,’ the department said.
The latest exchange underscores the increasingly contentious tone of diplomatic engagement between Manila and Beijing, with disputes over the West Philippine Sea now spilling into public exchanges between Chinese diplomats and Philippine officials on social media.
Reacting to the DFA statement, the Chinese Embassy remains defiant, stating it ‘does not accept’ DFA’s statement on China pushing back against attacks and smears on China.
‘The Embassy is always committed to managing differences with the Philippines through diplomatic channel. Meanwhile the Chinese Embassy will not remain silent when China’s interests and dignity are undermined. This is the duty that diplomatic mission must perform.,’ the Embassy said in a statement.
On the Taiwan issue, the Embassy said it appreciated the reiteration of Manila on one-China policy
‘Under current circumstances, this public statement is timely and necessary in preventing certain forces from sabotaging China-Philippines relations by playing with the Taiwan question,’ the Embassy said.