NewsPhilippines calls for expulsion of Chinese diplomats amid sea dispute

Philippines calls for expulsion of Chinese diplomats amid sea dispute

The National Security Adviser of the Philippines, Eduardo Ano, called on Friday for the expulsion of Chinese diplomats from the country. Illustrative picture.

Images source: © Getty Images | 2024 Anadolu

PJM

11:18 AM EDT, May 10, 2024

The dispute between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea is escalating. The Philippine National Security Adviser has called for the expulsion of Chinese diplomats after an alleged phone conversation between a Filipino military official and a Chinese diplomat was leaked. "Such actions should not go without sanctions or serious penalty," the official emphasized.

On Friday, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano advocated for the expulsion of Chinese diplomats from the Philippines, as reported by Malay Mail. This drastic step is in response to their alleged dissemination of disinformation and violation of Philippine law. "The repeated acts of the Chinese embassy, engaging in and spreading disinformation, now publishing fake transcripts or recordings of supposed conversations between officials of the host country, should not go unpunished or without serious penalty," he stated.

"The staff of the Chinese embassy responsible for violating Philippine law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, as well as those involved in these malicious influence operations and interference, must be immediately expelled from the country," Ano further added, according to a statement quoted by Manila Bulletin.

The defense minister calls for action

At the beginning of the week, the leak of the alleged telephone conversation came to light. It involved a Chinese diplomat and a Filipino admiral discussing the South China Sea dispute, during which the Filipino official allegedly conceded to the Chinese terms.

Philippine Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro has urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to take appropriate actions against the Chinese diplomats alleged to have recorded the said telephone conversation. Eduardo Ano echoed Teodoro's sentiment, noting that if such a conversation occurred, recording it would be a grave violation of diplomatic protocols and the aforementioned convention, as reported by Manila Bulletin.

China responds: "It's a provocation"

Responding to the Philippine officials, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian labeled their statements provocative. He advocated for the Philippines to ensure Chinese diplomats can perform their duties without obstruction, as reported by Reuters Agency. "China officially requests the Philippine side to effectively secure the normal performance of duties by Chinese diplomatic personnel, stop violating and provoking, and refrain from denying facts," Lin articulated.