Envoy says China could ‘easily win’ conflict as Manila claims it is ‘thinly veiled threat’
The Chinese ambassador to the Philippines says Beijing could “easily win” should it use force in the region but instead chooses peace, remarks that have drawn sharp criticism from Manila and calls for diplomatic restraint. The war of words came as tension over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea rises, with Beijing repeatedly driving away Philippine aircraft over the shoal in…
Chinese envoy Jing Quan stated that Beijing could "easily win" a conflict in the South China Sea if it chose to use force, but opted for peace instead, sparking criticism from the Philippines. This came as tensions escalated over the contested Scarborough Shoal, with China repeatedly deterring Philippine aircraft and accusing Manila of violating Chinese airspace.
Jing also dismissed the term "troublemaker," directing his anger at those targeting Chinese teachers in the Philippines. He cautioned against creating incidents that could escalate tensions, urging both nations to seek diplomatic solutions. Manila vehemently rejected Jing's comments as a "thinly veiled threat" and urged diplomats to exercise caution in their public statements.
The Chinese embassy retaliated, deeming Manila's reaction as "selective quotation" and calling for improved bilateral communication. Philippine President Marcos Jr. expressed concern over the envoy's remark, stating it sounded like a threat and requested clarification. Despite their strained relations, both countries have strong economic ties and ongoing exchanges.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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