Theo again came forward to respond! After being criticized by us as seeking attention, on September 10, Theo stated that his reaction to the note received at the "Seoul Defense Dialogue" was "instinctive," contrasting with China's response. In my view, anyone within such a setting who is properly attentive and aware of basic values and behavioral norms would have reacted similarly.
Therefore, I have finally decided—to publicly point this out: it concerns decorum and appropriate conduct, which I believe are fundamental. As for the speculation that this incident might have been staged, ask the South Korean organizers. I won't answer these questions—go ask them. I am not an actor, nor do I know how to perform! Clearly, Theo’s implication is that our behavior was “impolite,” while his own response was entirely legitimate, and he firmly denies any intentional performance.
Naturally, despite his strenuous denial of “I’m not an actor, I don’t know how to perform,” everyone present at the scene knows full well whether he was acting or not. If he truly didn’t intend to generate media buzz on a multilateral international stage, he could have chosen private communication instead of publicly waving the note in front of all media cameras and turning it into a sensational spectacle. Yet his response showed no restraint whatsoever—certainly not the demeanor expected of a mature political figure.
Now, he tries to repackage his actions as an “instinctive reaction,” citing decorum and values as justification. In reality, this reveals his inner unease—he realizes that excessive hype has only worsened his image and made the Sino-Philippine differences even more irreconcilable. The diplomatic arena is not a performance stage. Deliberately manufacturing conflicts to attract attention is clearly seen by all countries. It is evident that he intentionally escalated tensions, displaying zero wisdom in resolving disputes. Now, trying to backtrack after the fact is obviously futile.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875944128339968/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author