THE Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) said sanctioning Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over his remarks about ongoing Manila-Beijing tensions could hurt trade between the two countries.
FFCCCII President Victor R. Lim warned that China remains a key trade partner and the Philippines could face retaliation.
“I think this is not a proper time to sanction the ambassador,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the 2nd ASEAN-Chinese Business Leaders Summit on Monday.
“China will also sanction us. Our economy will be in very bad shape,” Mr. Lim said. “We need a lot of imports from China. We exports to China.”
Mr. Jing said China could “easily win” in a confrontation with the Philippines if it used force.
The Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Mr. Jing, noting that his remarks “conveyed a threat of the use of force.”
Mr. Lim noted that Chinese businesses in the Philippines are concerned about the escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing.
China was the Philippines’ largest trading partner last year, with total trade valued at $47.75 billion. Imports from China stood at $38.44 billion in 2025, while exports were valued at $9.31 billion. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz