China's ambassador to the Philippines, Jing Quan, said on Thursday (October 15) that China could "easily prevail" in the event of a conflict with the Philippines. On Friday (October 16), Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. described the remarks as tantamount to "a threat," stating he would summon Ambassador Jing for an explanation.
Jing made the comments after participating in an event titled "Diliman Dialogues" in Manila on October 15. When asked about Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s earlier characterization of China as a regional "troublemaker," Jing countered by questioning who truly constituted the source of instability. He alluded to recent Philippine government actions—including unfounded accusations against China, harassment of Chinese workers and teachers—and suggested it was the Philippines that had driven tensions toward confrontation.
He then stated: "We should be grateful that in this region, you have China as a neighbor. If we were to resort to force, we might easily prevail; but we will not choose force. We cherish peace."
Commentary: The Marcos administration has seized upon these remarks to amplify domestic political messaging, projecting an image of resisting external pressure to rally public support. At the same time, it serves as a signal to external powers, aiming to strengthen security partnerships and bolster its strategic position in South China Sea disputes. While China upholds peace and does not seek conflict, this stance does not imply concession on sovereignty issues. The situation in the South China Sea remains complex. Beijing has consistently advocated for resolving disputes through diplomatic dialogue. However, should red lines continue to be crossed, China’s resolve, determination, and capacity to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity will remain unwavering—a reality that neighboring countries must acknowledge.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879198227780619/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.