The Philippine government has summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to protest the statements regarding China’s capability to win a confrontation against the Philippines amid the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea involving the two nations.
According to sources, on Monday, October 19, 2026, Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro called for Jing to deliver Manila’s “serious concern and strong objection” to comments made that threatened the use of force against the Philippines. In an official statement issued by the DFA, Lazaro noted the remarks made by Jing were “provocative and unacceptable.”
The move came in response to criticism leveled against the language employed by the Chinese Ambassador in his statements. The Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was also among the people who criticized the language used by the Chinese diplomat. However, the Chinese government dismissed the criticisms stating that the remarks were selectively quoted.
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The spat started last week after Jing was questioned by journalists to react to the characterisation of China as a troublemaker in the region made by Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Jing dismissed the claim saying that the Philippines is lucky to have China as a neighbour. In an interview to reporters on Thursday, October 15, he said: “If we want to resort to force, it will be very easy to do so. But no, we will never resort to force and we love peace,” Jing said. “In this region, we have peace. See other regions: Ukraine, Gaza, even Venezuela.”
The remarks elicited criticism in Manila with government officials suggesting that the mention of the military power of China can be seen as a threat of the possible use of force. However, Jing clearly said that China does not resort to force.
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