Senate resolution seeks to declare Chinese envoy ‘persona non grata’

The resolution also expresses the Senate’s 'serious concern' over Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan's controversial remarks

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Erwin Tulfo on Monday, October 19, filed a resolution seeking to declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan a “persona non grata” over his recent remarks, which the Philippine government described as a “thinly veiled threat of the use of force.”

In filing Senate Resolution No. 739, Tulfo expressed the Senate’s “serious concern” over the controversial statement of the Chinese envoy, who said China could easily defeat the Philippines if it resorted to using force.

“We should feel fortunate enough that you have a neighbor like China in this region. If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we’ll not use force. We love peace,” Jing said. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs admonished Jing over his remarks. It also summoned the diplomat to express the government’s serious concern and strong objection to his public statement. 

“It is hereby resolved by the Senate of the Philippines to express its serious concern over the remarks made by the Ambassador of China to the Philippines Jing Quan, suggesting the potential use of force against the Philippines,” the resolution read. 

“Resolved further to urge the [Department of Foreign Affairs] to recommend to the appropriate authorities the declaration of Ambassador Jing Quan as persona non grata in view of the severity of his remarks and their implications for Philippine sovereignty, national dignity, and bilateral relations,” it said. 

Senator JV Ejercito, over the weekend, first raised the possibility of senators filing a resolution to declare Jing persona non grata after the Chinese Embassy in Manila dared Philippine officials to do so.

“Some anti-China politicians talked about declaring the Chinese ambassador persona non grata (PNG). Over the past 30 years, anti-China forces have been repeatedly doing the same thing to threaten our embassy. We are fed up with these old and low tricks. If they really want to do something, do it quickly and immediately, please,” the embassy said.

“While diplomacy is based on reciprocity, we will not welcome them to China. Simple and fair enough,” it added.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including areas part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China refuses to acknowledge the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award, which affirmed the Philippines’ EEZ and found China’s supposed historical claim invalid. 

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Manila has been both assertive and transparent in protecting both its sovereignty claims and rights in the West Philippine Sea. China’s claims have meant that, for Filipino frontliners — the Navy, Coast Guard, and even fisherfolk — harassment at the hands of Chinese maritime agencies is a risk in flashpoints in those waters.

After Monday’s filing, the Senate will discuss and vote on Tulfo’s resolution during the resumption of its plenary session on November 9. If approved, the upper chamber will adopt the resolution. – with reports from Bea Cupin/Rappler.com  

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