MANILA – The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines challenged senators to declare Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata, saying the diplomat would leave “with immense pride and honor” if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered his expulsion.

In a report, Embassy Spokesperson Ji Lingpeng made the remarks following a suggestion by Senate President Tito Sotto III to declare the embassy’s deputy spokesperson, Guo Wei, persona non grata over his repeated public criticisms of Philippine officials.

Ji said that instead of targeting Guo, senators “could simply declare Ambassador Jing Quan ‘persona non grata’—that would be the most straightforward approach.” He emphasized that as ambassador, Jing bears responsibility for all words and actions of the embassy.

Ji also warned that any attempt to single out Chinese diplomats should include himself and the embassy’s entire 12-member media affairs and public diplomacy team. “As a team, we stay or leave, together,” he said.

The embassy’s statements follow weeks of pointed rebuttals against several Philippine officials, including Coast Guard Spokesperson Jay Tarriela, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Rep. Chel Diokno, and Rep. Leila de Lima, over their defense of the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Ji reiterated that Ambassador Jing was appointed by President Xi Jinping and accepted by President Marcos, and that only Marcos has the authority to ask him to leave. “If he were to receive such notice from President Marcos, he would depart immediately. But he would do so with immense pride and honor, knowing that through his actions, he had fulfilled the firm commitment a Chinese diplomat makes to his country,” he said.

In a veiled warning, Ji added that even if the embassy were shut down, Chinese diplomats would continue their public campaign defending China. “Rest assured that even if the embassy were to be closed, we would continue, without hesitation, to push back slanders and smears against China through various channels. This is the most basic duty of Chinese diplomats,” he said.

Ji highlighted Ambassador Jing’s 29-year diplomatic career, including 23 years in US affairs, and said the ambassador has consistently defended China’s interests and dignity, even amid difficult moments in China-US relations such as consulate closures, diplomat expulsions, sanctions, and trade disputes.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier made “firm representations” to the embassy to express its displeasure over the escalating public exchanges, stressing the need for “sober, professional and respectful exchanges” while standing behind Philippine officials’ defense of the country’s rights.