Philippines says takes exception to Chinese Embassy spat

The Philippines takes "strong exception" to a statement by the Chinese Embassy in Manila that the simmering diplomatic pat between the two countries could result in millions of jobs being ⁠lost, the foreign ministry said, adding such comments could be seen as coercive.



The Philippines and China have had repeated maritime confrontations in the contested South China Sea, and there have been sharp exchanges recently between the Chinese Embassy and Philippine officials.



Some senators have said China's ambassador should be recalled, remarks that prompted the embassy to warn last week that any serious damage to bilateral ties would "cost millions of jobs."



"We take strong exception to the embassy's tone, which appears to imply that such cooperation could be withheld as a form of leverage or retaliation," this according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).



The DFA added "In the current atmosphere, this framing risks being perceived as coercive and undermines constructive bilateral dialogue," and called on Chinese diplomats to "adopt a responsible and measured tone in public exchanges."



China's embassy in Manila called on the Philippine foreign ministry to "play a responsible role in restraining certain individuals" who criticise Beijing, without ⁠naming anyone.