Groups back DFA’s ‘statesmanlike’ tack on China
Some of the business, labor and civil society organizations that earlier warned the Philippines would suffer more than China if bilateral relations deteriorated further said on Saturday that they were backing the “statesmanlike” approach of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to the diplomatic row with Beijing.
A statement by the group of 20 after a meeting between Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for sustained dialogue between Manila and Beijing to protect economic ties without compromising national sovereignty.
Dialogue over confrontation
They also commended Lazaro for pursuing dialogue and cooperation with Beijing despite the diplomatic friction.
“We recognize the DFA’s pragmatic and statesmanlike approach in protecting the country’s national interests, particularly its economic development, trade and exports, tourism, overseas Filipino workers, and other vital bilateral engagements with China, the Philippines’ largest trading partner,” the groups said.
“We therefore support the DFA’s pursuit of principled diplomacy and sustained dialogue over confrontation, recognizing that a balanced and constructive relationship with China is essential to advancing Philippine economic security, national interests, and sustainable development,” they added.
Cool it down
The groups included the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the largest business association in the country, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines and the Federation of Free Workers.
On Nov. 2, some of the signatories of Saturday’s statement urged Manila and Beijing to “lower the temperature” and prevent their diplomatic standoff from damaging trade, investment and jobs.
“The Filipino people deserve a government that protects sovereignty while expanding prosperity,” the groups said in a statement. “Constructive relations with China do not require abandoning Philippine sovereignty, overlooking legitimate concerns, or compromising an independent foreign policy.”
The groups cautioned against “inflammatory rhetoric, public recriminations, and social media exchanges.” This was a reference to Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s remarks in October that China could “easily win” militarily against the Philippines, which the government considered a threat, prompting several senators to call for his declaration as persona non grata.
They had warned of the potential economic consequences of deteriorating relations, particularly given the Philippines’ reliance on China as a major source of imports and a key trading partner.
Largest import source
China was the Philippines’ largest source of imports in 2025, supplying more than $38.2 billion in goods, and its fourth-largest export market, purchasing $9.3 billion in Philippine products.
In their Nov. 7 statement, the organizations emphasized that the Philippines should not fall behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in pursuing economic opportunities with China.
“Amid global uncertainty and intensifying economic competition, our Asean neighbors are deepening their trade, investment, technology, infrastructure, and tourism partnerships with China,” they said.
The latest friction adds to long-standing tensions over the South China Sea, where Beijing continues to assert sweeping maritime claims despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that nullified its nine-dash-line maritime sovereignty claim.
What’s the basis?
But other consumer and civic groups—CitizenWatch; Konsyumer at Mamamayan (KM); and Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada (BK3)—challenged the business groups to substantiate their claims that worsening ties with China could threaten millions of Filipino jobs.
CitizenWatch co-convenor and former Quezon City Rep. Christopher “Kit” Belmonte questioned the basis of the projected losses and urged the country to diversify its economic partnerships rather than become overly dependent on China.
KM co-convenor Danilo Lorenzo “Ren” Delos Santos asked for evidence supporting the employment projections, while BK3 lead convenor Karry Sison maintained that economic cooperation should not come at the expense of the country’s maritime rights.
In a separate statement issued on Nov. 5, Democracy Watch urged the government to strengthen the country’s economic independence while continuing to defend its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
The DFA had described the conversation between Lazaro and Wang as frank and constructive, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue and managing differences through diplomatic channels.
China, however, accused some Philippine politicians of undermining bilateral relations, with Wang, urging Manila to exercise prudence in its words and actions on maritime issues.
Teodoro, Tarriela
Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. rejected suggestions that Philippine officials should temper their statements about China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea, saying Manila had taken a responsible stance in its dealings with Beijing.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela echoed Teodoro’s remarks, saying that Beijing wanted Manila to stop publicizing Chinese actions at sea to weaken international support for the Philippines.
In an opinion piece published on Inquirer.net on Saturday, Tarriela said Wang’s appeal for restraint went beyond easing diplomatic tensions. “Beijing just asked our government to muzzle its own people, specifically those who show the public what happens in the West Philippine Sea,” he wrote.
Tarriela argued that the government’s “transparency” campaign, launched in 2023, had made it harder for Beijing to dispute accounts of confrontations at sea through photographs, videos and other evidence, and helped sustain international condemnation of Chinese actions, and support maritime security cooperation with the Philippines.
He warned that if the Philippines abandoned the campaign, “the world goes quiet with us.” —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH
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