MANILA— The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) criticized the Chinese Embassy in Manila over what it described as “escalatory and undiplomatic” social media posts, warning that the statements could undermine efforts to improve bilateral relations.

The DFA said the embassy’s statements “erode mutual trust and confidence, and severely undermines the efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations.”

“All diplomats are expected to conduct and express themselves in a manner befitting diplomatic envoys, especially on social media,” the department said.

The Chinese Embassy’s X account has recently been active in responding to remarks by Philippine officials following controversial statements by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan.

Jing drew criticism from Philippine lawmakers after saying on October 15 that Beijing could easily defeat Manila if it resorted to force. He also said China would not do so and would instead maintain peace.

The embassy defended the ambassador, saying his remarks had been taken out of context.

The DFA said that while the Philippines values its relations with China, the embassy’s recent public statements “do not reflect the longstanding spirit of constructive engagement” between the two countries.

“Such statements are not conducive to good relations nor to the effective discharge of diplomatic functions,” it said.

“The DFA likewise reiterates that it reserves the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary.”

ONE CHINA POLICY

The embassy said Wednesday on X that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro “is openly challenging the one-China principle” after he shared a Facebook post indicating that Taiwan is self-governed.

“We want to know what is the response of DFA,” the embassy said.

In response, the DFA reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to its One China Policy, anchored on the 1975 Philippines-China Joint Communique.

It said the policy recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and respects the Chinese government’s position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory.

“Throughout the years, the Philippines’ relevant regulations reflect the country’s unwavering implementation of its One China Policy,” the DFA said.

CALLS TO EXPEL CHINESE DIPLOMATS

Jing also questioned why the Philippine government would not consider closing the entire Chinese Embassy, following calls from lawmakers to expel some Chinese diplomatic officials amid tensions over the West Philippine Sea.

His remarks came after Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon suggested expelling lower-ranking Chinese diplomats if the government decided against declaring Jing persona non grata.

“So yun ang maganda pag-alalaan DFA at ng ating Pangulo. Kung hindi po papaalisin po yung Embahador, yung po ang mga lesser diplomats na lang po yung pong palayasin particularly because nag-usap na kahapon marami pa rin ho silang sinasabi hanggang ngayon,” Ridon said.

The DFA had summoned Jing to convey the Philippines’ “serious concern and strong objection” to his recent remarks.

“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,” the department said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejected calls to declare Jing persona non grata, despite appeals from lawmakers to expel some Chinese Embassy officials over the dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

The diplomatic tensions unfold amid the longstanding maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, finding that China’s claims to historic rights within the South China Sea had “no legal basis.” China has refused to recognize the ruling.