MANILA (Bloomberg): The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said it has conveyed its "serious concerns” over escalating public exchanges between some officials and the Chinese embassy over the two nations’ competing claims in the South China Sea.
The Department has made "firm representations to the Chinese Ambassador and the Chinese Embassy,” it said in a statement on Monday, while also reaffirming its support for Filipino officials performing their "lawful duties in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.”
Still, the foreign affairs department called on the need for sober and respectful exchanges. "Circumspection in language and actions are necessary so that the exchanges between the two sides, especially in the public domain, do not and will not unnecessarily derail the diplomatic space needed to manage the tensions,” it said.
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last week, the embassy said a Philippine senator was doing "political theater.” It also earlier filed a diplomatic protest against Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela for using allegedly defamatory images of Chinese President Xi Jinping, but the Filipino official later said he won’t be intimidated.
The Philippines and China have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway believed to be rich in natural resources, which has long been a sore point in their bilateral relations.
Beijing asserts sweeping claims to nearly all of the South China Sea, a position rejected by an international arbitral ruling in 2016. Confrontations have intensified in recent years as Manila has stepped up patrols and deepened security ties with the US, its treaty ally.
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