China’s top diplomat in the Philippines is asking both countries to talk more and solve their problems peacefully.
Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan spoke at a New Year event on Tuesday. He said the two nations haven’t been meeting enough lately. Political talks have almost stopped, and this needs to change quickly.
Jing admitted that while China could easily win a fight against a smaller neighbor, doing so would damage their friendship for many years. He stressed that nobody wants to use force or fight. That’s why China prefers sitting down and talking to find solutions.
The ambassador also criticized “false stories” that attack China and cause more problems. He promised China will keep working with the Philippines until these lies have no audience.
Recently, the Philippine Senate condemned Chinese embassy officials for making rude comments about Philippine leaders who defend the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea. China called this Senate action a political stunt.
China also banned 16 officials from Kalayaan town in Palawan from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This happened after Kalayaan declared Chinese ambassadors unwelcome in their area.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said such bans don’t help build good relations between countries.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla supported Kalayaan officials and challenged China to ban him too. He plans to visit the island soon to strengthen the Philippines’ claim over the territory.
Remulla reminded everyone that Kalayaan has been Philippine territory for over 100 years and has its own local government.
