DFA: China travel ban doesn’t help build ties
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday expressed dismay over the travel ban announced by China against several Philippine local officials who declared Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata last month, saying it will only hurt bilateral relations.
“Such actions do not contribute to fostering good and vibrant bilateral relations, especially in reinvigorating people-to-people interaction, which both the Philippines and China have committed to,” the DFA said in a statement.
The Chinese government announced the travel ban on Tuesday as it also dismissed as a “mere political stunt” a Senate resolution that condemned Beijing’s recent tirades against Filipino officials defending the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
Sixteen officials of Kalayaan, a municipality in Palawan province, adopted the resolution on Jan. 29 in response to the Chinese Embassy’s criticism of Philippine officials, including Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
In 2023, the council also passed a resolution declaring Huang Xilian, China’s ambassador to Manila at the time, persona non grata after Chinese vessels used water cannons on PCG ships conducting a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea.
Kalayaan administers Philippine-occupied features in the Spratly Islands from Pagasa Island. Pagasa is home to some 400 locals, troops, law enforcers and civilian government personnel.
No plans to see China
Kalayaan Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan, who was among the 16 officials behind the resolution on Jing, said they were hardly bothered by the travel ban.
“We are no longer surprised by the declaration that we are no longer allowed to set foot in their territory,” Alindogan said at a press conference in Puerto Princesa City. “We respect their decision and attitude which is only based on their law.”
“And one more thing, I really have no plans, not even once, to visit their territory,” he added. “I don’t like to travel; I would rather go sightseeing in the Philippines.”
Commenting on the travel ban, Malacañang press officer Claire Castro said: “Whatever decisions and policies China adopts are beyond our control, just as they should not interfere with the decisions of this administration.”
Appeal to Beijing: ‘Be calm’
The tit-for-tat stemmed from the Jan. 14 talk given by Tarriela, where he used caricatured images of Chinese President Xi Jinping in a presentation.
Riled by the “slanderous” presentation, Beijing lodged a diplomatic protest four days later, precipitating a word war from officials of both sides, including some Philippine lawmakers and local officials.
Also on Wednesday, Rogelio Villanueva, DFA spokesperson on maritime affairs, called on the Chinese Embassy in Manila to respond to Philippine statements in a calm and professional manner.
“The DFA values candid and vigorous debate with foreign counterparts on issues vital to our national interests,” he said in a statement. “We urge that such responses be made calmly, with respect guiding all diplomatic engagement.”
Villanueva urged the Chinese Embassy “to be constructive in its statements towards a healthy dialogue despite major differences with a view to advance the overall bilateral relationship.”
‘Boorish, undiplomatic’
Despite this call, the word war appeared to be far from over.
On Wednesday, Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan lambasted Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng over his disparaging comments about Senate Resolution No. 256.
“A Senate resolution is a legitimate and appropriate tool for legislators to express concern over actions that affect Philippine laws, sovereignty, and national interests. We will not be silenced or deterred by statements from foreign actors,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“The real problem is the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy, Chinese Coast Guard, and Maritime Militia’s coercive behavior in the West Philippine Sea—water cannoning innocent fisherfolk, hindering freedom of navigation in our own EEZ (exclusive economic zone), and ramming our vessels,” Hontiveros added.
Pangilinan, for his part, called the embassy’s actions an “undiplomatic and boorish response to the official act of the Philippine Senate.”
“[This] only proves that China is indeed a bully, has no respect for international law and their acts deserving of condemnation. We rest our case,” he said. “We will never tolerate nor be cowed by foreigners disrespecting us in our own land.”
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chair of the foreign relations committee, agreed with his colleagues, stressing that the Senate has the right to pass a resolution and China cannot impose itself on the chamber.
“Why should we listen to them? Who are they? As a matter of fact, they should also remember that they are visitors here in our country. And perhaps they need to review the 1961 Vienna Convention. As visitors here, as diplomats, they should respect the laws of the host country,’’ he said.
On Wednesday, Malacañang steered clear of the spat, saying President Marcos respects the freedom of expression of both Chinese and Philippine officials.
“The President respects the freedom of expression. If Chinese officials in our country have the right to freely express themselves, the same applies to Filipinos and to whatever the Senate expresses,” Castro said.
“And once again, we reiterate the President’s position regarding relations with China—firm but diplomatic,” she added.
First lady, envoy meet anew
Meanwhile, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos mingled with the Chinese ambassador at a Lunar New Year reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Taguig City on Tuesday.
It was the second public engagement between the first lady and Jing in less than 12 days. They were last seen together during a one-night concert by Chinese pianist Lang Lang in Makati City on Jan. 30.
Malacañang downplayed the first lady’s attendance in the event, but Castro expressed hopes that her chance meeting with the new Chinese ambassador would de-escalate the spat between Manila and Beijing.
Foreign Undersecretary Theresa de Vega and former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III were also present at the reception. —WITH A REPORT FROM JOHN ERIC MENDOZA
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