Marcos rules out China envoy’s expulsion

MANILA, Philippines — While it respects the sentiments of some of the country’s officials over Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s “threatening” remarks, Malacañang maintained that President Marcos would not want any diplomat expelled.

“We know the President’s view. He would not want this kind of declaration against any representative of another country here,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a media briefing yesterday.

Castro was asked to comment on calls from senators and congressmen to have Jing declared persona non grata over his recent remark that China had the capability to use force and defeat the Philippines if it wanted to, but had instead chosen peace.

“Whatever opinions other leaders or senators may have, we respect them. But as we have stated, the President does not act outside of diplomatic channels,” Castro said.

When asked about the President’s possible meeting with the Chinese ambassador, Castro said she was leaving the matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“No details have been provided to me yet. Most likely, it will be the DFA that will release any information regarding this matter,” she pointed out.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro yesterday summoned Jing to relay Manila’s protest against his “provocative” and “unacceptable” remark that “does not contribute to creating understanding.”

The DFA told Jing “it is not the place of a foreign mission to publicly criticize or taunt Philippine officials and legislators who are acting within their mandates. As a democracy, the Philippines values freedom of expression and a plurality of voices, and it will not accept attempts by a foreign envoy to intimidate those who exercise them.”

Castro said that despite the controversy, the President will push through with his visit to China next month for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

“There was no mention of any changes in the schedule because for the President, his engagement with any nation – including China – is done without aggression,” Castro said.

“Even as we fight for and protect our rights, our territory and the West Philippine Sea, the President remains committed to a diplomatic approach. He does not initiate any form of aggression. This is what we must demonstrate and convey to the entire world: that the Philippines does not initiate any aggression,” she emphasized.

Castro said the administration also sees the President’s upcoming visit to China as an opportunity to further enhance the dialogue between him and Chinese leaders. She could not say yet if Marcos would have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Business group Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) is calling on the government to exercise caution in imposing sanctions against Jing.

“I think this is not a proper time to sanction,” FFCCCII president Victor Lim told reporters on the sidelines of the Second ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-China Business Leaders Summit 2026 yesterday.

He said imposing sanctions on Jing for his recent remarks could prompt China to apply countermeasures on the Philippines that may hurt the economy.

“Our economy will be in a very bad shape because we need a lot of imports from China. We need our exports to China,” he said. Among those being imported by the Philippines from China are petroleum products. “We’re very concerned about the future. We don’t want a war in our country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Erwin Tulfo filed a resolution yesterday urging the DFA to recommend declaring Jing persona non grata.

Tulfo filed Senate Resolution 739 shortly after an interview wherein he told Jing to pack his bags and go home rather than wait for the Senate to formally push for his expulsion.

Tulfo noted that the move to censure the ambassador was agreed upon by the Senate majority bloc over the weekend.

He added that the Senate’s decision to stand up to Beijing’s bullying in the West Philippine Sea is supported by millions of Filipinos.

Tulfo dismissed the ambassador’s threat of a travel ban, noting he has no plans to visit China, Hong Kong or Macau. — Pia Lee-Brago, Neil Jayson Servallos, Louella Desiderio

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