MANILA, Philippines — Beijing’s ambassador to Manila on Thursday said China could “easily win” a military conflict with the Philippines, but it would not use force to settle maritime disputes between the two countries.
Ambassador Jing Quan, however, warned that the Philippines faced a greater risk of confrontation if it did not reestablish direct military-to-military communications, which have been suspended by Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. for about three years now.
Jing’s statements came amid the escalating maritime conflict between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea where the Philippines has accused China of increasingly aggressive behavior toward Filipinos in government and fishing vessels.
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“If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not use force. You know, we love peace,” Jing told reporters on the sidelines of the second Diliman Dialogues organized by the Philippines-China Studies Center of Diliman College in Quezon City.
‘Veiled threat’
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday described Jing’s remarks as a threat that exacerbates the strained ties between the Philippines and China.
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“It is regrettable that Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan today had a poor choice of words that would seem to convey a thinly veiled threat of the use of force, which is hardly helpful in the context of the complicated bilateral ties between the Philippines and China,” the DFA said in a statement.
It said that diplomacy required “tact and restraint” to make room for dialogue and engagement despite differences in positions.
“It is hoped that all diplomats accredited to the Philippines take greater care in the language used in public statements so as not to further erode mutual trust and confidence, nor derail the advancement of dialogue and constructive engagement,” it added.
China has the largest naval force and one of the biggest armies in the world.
Both former Presidents Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte have described multiple times that a Philippines-China military conflict would be a mismatch.
The Philippines and the United States, however, have a Mutual Defense Treaty which commits one side to come to the aid of the other in case of an armed attack.
Jing was triggered by Teodoro’s remarks on Wednesday rejecting Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent description of the Philippines as a “troublemaker of Southeast Asia.”
“China alone is the troublemaker here,” the defense chief said.
Reacting strongly, Jing said: “That’s nonsense. Troublemaker? Who is the troublemaker?”
‘Military-to-military’ lines
He accused Teodoro of targeting Chinese students, teachers and workers and spreading what he called groundless accusations against Beijing.
“Who every day smear, attack China?” he said. He added that Teodoro was trying to spread “false narratives” and “hatred between the two countries.”
The Chinese Embassy issued a statement echoing the ambassador on Thursday.
Asked whether Beijing wanted to revive military-to-military communications with Manila, Jing said the channels were needed to manage crises, reduce misunderstandings and prevent conflict.
“It’s not China asking the Philippines to talk, to have the military-to-military communication. If you don’t want to talk with us, fine, but you lose,” he said. “You face more risks of confrontation and conflict.”
Jing cited China’s military communications with the United States, saying the two countries had kept lines open despite their differences.
Teodoro on Wednesday said direct military communications with China were suspended over security concerns. Beijing’s abuse of the channels and its distortion of narratives were the reasons for maintaining the suspension, he said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines backed Teodoro’s decision, saying dialogue required mutual trust, sincerity and respect for international law.
Ayungin confrontation
During a confrontation between Chinese and Philippine forces at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in August 2023, the Philippine government said it could not reach Chinese officials through an established “maritime communication mechanism” for several hours.
In July 2024, the two sides signed an agreement aimed at opening a direct line between the presidential offices of the two countries to help prevent any new confrontation from spiraling out of control in the West Philippine Sea.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that the agreement “provides several channels for communication between the Philippines and China, specifically on maritime issues, through the representatives to be designated by their leaders.”
The hotline talks could also be done through their foreign ministries at the foreign minister and vice foreign minister levels, or their designated representatives.
There was also a plan to set up a new communication channel between the Chinese and Philippine coast guards “once the corresponding memorandum of understanding” between them is concluded, according to the agreement.
‘Calm down and talk’
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said messages must match actions at sea, in the air and on the ground. He accused China of using direct channels as a cover for its continued illegal presence and coercive actions. Trinidad did not elaborate.
Teodoro said that communication with China remained open through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela said Jing’s “easily win” remarks were a “direct threat” despite the envoy’s assurance that China loved peace.
“A guest who reminds his host that he could easily beat him up, but has graciously decided not to, is not describing friendship. He is threatening the very country that received him and asking us to be grateful for it,” Tarriela said in a statement Thursday.
“Not using force against a country whose rights you are already violating is not peace. It is coercion by other means!” he said. Jing urged the Philippines to “sit down and try to find a way to manage” the maritime dispute.
He added that the two countries should continue expanding trade, investment and visits despite their differences.
“Calm down and talk, more talk, more communication. Not always take some very harsh, tough measures against each other,” Jing said. —With reports from AP and Inquirer Research
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