MANILA, January 26 (Reuters) – The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday it had made “firm representations” over the “escalation of public exchanges” between the Chinese Embassy in Manila and its ambassador and Philippine officials over the South China Sea dispute.
Rhetoric from the Chinese embassy and officials in Manila has intensified in recent weeks, with the Chinese embassy criticizing a Philippine Coast Guard spokesman and its lawmakers. Foreign Affairs Minister Teresa Lazaro told Reuters last week that differences between countries are best resolved through diplomacy rather than public communication.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday that it supported the statements made by Philippine officials, saying they were part of its duty to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and sovereign rights. At the same time, the ministry called for “calm, professional and respectful communication in the public sphere”.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that caution in language and actions is necessary so that communications… do not unnecessarily undermine the diplomatic space needed to manage tensions in the maritime domain,” the ministry said.
Manila and Beijing have been locked in a series of maritime confrontations in recent years, with the Philippines repeatedly accusing China of aggressive actions within its exclusive economic zone, including dangerous drills, high-pressure water cannons and interference with supply missions.
Beijing continues to claim sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, including areas within the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by David Stanway)
