The Department of Foreign Affairs, (DFA) on Monday admonished the Chinese Embassy in Manila over what it described as a veiled warning that China could withhold economic cooperation, potentially affecting millions of Filipino jobs, as tensions continue over competing claims in the South China Sea, known locally as the West Philippine Sea.
The Chinese Embassy issued the advisory on Friday, February 13, 2026, linking “millions of jobs” to the state of diplomatic relations. The remarks were reported publicly the following day, February 14.
In a statement, the DFA said it “notes with concern” the embassy’s remarks and its implication of possible economic sanctions against the Philippines.
“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,” the DFA said.
The embassy’s comments followed calls from some senators to expel Beijing’s envoy to Manila. In response, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Linpeng warned that “any serious damage to diplomatic relations, including downgrading of those relations, would cost millions of jobs.”
“Are these senators prepared to personally compensate those for their lost incomes? Or is grandstanding easier when someone else pays the price?” Ji said.
The DFA emphasized that economic and cultural cooperation benefits the Philippines and its people. “The DFA values cooperation with all states across economic, cultural, and other domains, as it delivers clear benefits to the Philippines and its people,” it said.
It added, “In the current atmosphere, this framing risks being perceived as coercive and undermines constructive bilateral dialogue.”
The DFA renewed its call for Chinese diplomats “to adopt a responsible and measured tone in public exchanges.” Despite ongoing disputes, it said it remains “committed to diplomacy to stabilize and advance our bilateral relationship, notwithstanding profound differences.”
China claims nearly 90 percent of the South China Sea, including areas that overlap with the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Manila previously challenged Beijing’s claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas and secured an arbitral ruling that China has rejected.
