Brief
Chinese ambassador says China could easily win war with Philippines, sparks diplomatic row
The comments were made at a Quezon City forum and prompted sharp reactions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and the Philippine coast guard.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A Chinese diplomat warned the Philippines that Beijing "may easily win" a conflict, saying the country should be grateful for a "peace‑loving neighbour," the Independent reported.
What happened
Speaking at a college forum in Quezon City on Thursday, Chinese ambassador Jing Quan told the audience that China does not intend to use force but that it could win a war against the Philippines if it chose to. He urged Manila to exercise caution over South China Sea disputes and to appreciate China’s neighbourly stance.
What the reports add
The Independent noted that Jing’s remarks were a response to a question about Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro’s description of China as a regional "troublemaker." The article also linked the episode to a recent incident where Chinese coast‑guard personnel used water cannons to delay a medical evacuation of a sailor from the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, a delay that lasted nearly ten hours.
What was said
Jing said, "If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose force, and we love peace." President Ferdinand Marcos Jr told reporters the comments sounded "very much like a threat" and said he wanted a face‑to‑face discussion with the ambassador. Philippine coast guard spokesman Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela called the statement a "direct threat" and said, "No people feel fortunate when a larger neighbour repeatedly violates the law and then tells them to be thankful it was not worse." The Chinese embassy in Manila said Jing’s words were taken out of context and that Beijing seeks "stable relations" with the Philippines.
How it came about
The remarks came amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing have repeatedly clashed, sometimes violently, over contested waters such as Scarborough Shoal. The row follows a week‑long diplomatic spat after Chinese coast‑guard actions hindered a Philippine medical evacuation.
Key facts
- Chinese ambassador Jing Quan said China could easily win a war with the Philippines (independent.co.uk)
- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called the remarks a thinly veiled threat (independent.co.uk)
- Philippine coast guard spokesman Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela described the comments as a direct threat (independent.co.uk)
- The Chinese embassy said Jing's comments were taken out of context and emphasized stable relations (independent.co.uk)
- The incident follows a recent Chinese coast‑guard water‑cannon action that delayed a Philippine medical evacuation (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “China says it ‘may easily win’ war with Philippines but insists it ‘loves peace’”
