Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Monday, October 19, 2026, after Beijing's envoy suggested Manila should feel fortunate that China refrains from using force in regional disputes. The Department of Foreign Affairs called the statement provocative and unacceptable.
The episode, first reported by Rappler, offers a clear lesson for any nation that values its sovereignty: small states must answer threats plainly, through proper channels, and without theatrical gestures that only inflate the aggressor's standing.
What did the Chinese ambassador say?
Ambassador Jing made the remarks in a media interview, responding to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s statement that Beijing, not Manila, was the troublemaker in the region. After praising dialogue and cooperation, Jing said the Philippines should feel fortunate to have China as a neighbor.
We should feel fortunate enough that you have a neighbor like China in this region. If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we'll not use force. We love peace.
The Department of Foreign Affairs did not mince words in its readout of the meeting between Lazaro and Jing, which senior DFA leaders also attended. The department said such language aggravates an already sensitive bilateral atmosphere and undermines shared efforts to build mutual understanding and cooperation.
A firm response through the right channels
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had said on October 16 that the ambassador's remarks deserved a discussion. The summons was ultimately issued by Lazaro rather than the President himself, a choice consistent with the view, even within the DFA, that the foreign secretary was the proper official for the occasion. This was the second time in months that Jing faced a summons; Marcos himself summoned him in July 2026, also over comments made in a media interview.
The department's position was unambiguous. It is not the place of a foreign mission, the DFA said, to publicly criticize or taunt Philippine officials and legislators 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.
Lazaro emphasized that sensitive issues are best addressed through established diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms, which preserve space for dialogue and engagement. The department added that it remains committed to candid dialogue and constructive engagement, in line with the President's direction, while firmly upholding the country's consistent positions on important issues.
Calls for expulsion and the limits of restraint
Over the weekend, Philippine politicians criticized Jing and the embassy, with some calling for his expulsion or a declaration that he is persona non grata. Under Philippine law, only the President can expel a diplomat assigned to the country. The Chinese embassy responded by daring legislators to push through with those calls, even though the decision rests solely with Marcos.
The DFA reserved the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary, without giving specifics.
In a briefing on October 19, Palace Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos valued diplomacy, especially in defending the country's rights, entitlements, and interests in the West Philippine Sea. She conceded, however, that the embassy's latest statements no longer seemed diplomatic.
Why the West Philippine Sea dispute persists
Maritime claims sit at the center of tensions between Manila and Beijing. China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including the waters Manila calls the West Philippine Sea. Filipino maritime frontliners face harassment and even harm at sea as a result.
Beijing does not recognize the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award, which validated the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and deemed China's supposed historical claim invalid. That refusal to accept a binding ruling tells the real story: this is not a misunderstanding to be smoothed over, but a deliberate campaign of pressure by a larger power against a smaller neighbor.
The Chinese embassy in Manila has sharpened its rhetoric since Jing took over in December 2025. Through its spokesperson, the embassy has repeatedly engaged in online word wars with Philippine government officials, trading insults in public rather than conducting itself with the dignity expected of a diplomatic mission.
What this means for nations that guard their sovereignty
The Philippine response deserves attention well beyond Manila. Lazaro did not shout, did not stage a spectacle, and did not hand Beijing a propaganda victory. She summoned the envoy, stated the facts plainly, and reserved the right to act further. That is how a self-respecting state defends its territory and its honor: with firmness, procedure, and patience.
There is a temptation in such moments to match the aggressor's theatrics, to declare envoys unwelcome and burn the diplomatic furniture. Some Philippine legislators gave in to it. The temptation should be resisted. Expulsions make headlines for a day; steady, principled resistance over years protects fishermen, sailors, and territory. Sovereignty is defended by institutions that function, not by gestures that feel good.
At the same time, restraint is not surrender. The DFA's warning that further action may follow is the right note. A state that cannot defend its own officials from open taunting by a foreign mission invites more of the same, and Beijing's behavior since December 2025 shows it will push as far as it is allowed to push.
The Philippines, a nation of ordinary families whose fishermen bear the brunt of Chinese pressure at sea, has drawn a clear line. The question now is whether Beijing hears it, or whether the next provocative remark is already being prepared.
FAQ
Why was the Chinese ambassador summoned to the Philippine foreign ministry?
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro summoned Ambassador Jing Quan on October 19, 2026, because he said the Philippines should feel fortunate China does not use force in their disputes. The DFA called the statement provocative and unacceptable.
Can the Philippines expel the Chinese ambassador?
Only the President of the Philippines can expel a diplomat assigned to the country or declare them persona non grata, despite calls from some legislators to do so.
What is the 2016 Arbitral Award?
It is a landmark ruling that validated the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and deemed China's supposed historical claim in the South China Sea invalid. Beijing does not recognize the award.