Philippines Objects to China’s Warning About Potential Job Losses

The Philippine government has strongly criticized the Chinese Embassy's warning that diplomatic tensions could cost millions of jobs. Officials called the embassy's comments potentially coercive amid ongoing disputes over the South China Sea.

The Philippine government has issued a sharp rebuke to China’s embassy in Manila after Chinese diplomats suggested that escalating tensions between the two nations could lead to the loss of millions of jobs.

In a statement released late Monday, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as inappropriate diplomatic language from the Chinese Embassy.

The diplomatic friction stems from ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where both countries have engaged in repeated confrontations over maritime boundaries and access rights.

Recent calls by some Philippine senators to expel China’s ambassador triggered the embassy’s warning last week that serious harm to relations between the countries would result in significant job losses.

Philippine foreign ministry officials responded forcefully to those remarks, stating: “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 ministry further criticized the Chinese diplomatic approach, saying: “In the current atmosphere, this framing risks being perceived as coercive and undermines constructive bilateral dialogue.” Officials urged Chinese representatives to “adopt a responsible and measured tone in public exchanges.”

The Chinese Embassy had not provided a response to requests for comment as of Tuesday, which marks a holiday in both nations for the Lunar New Year celebration.

The dispute reflects broader tensions over South China Sea territories, where Philippine authorities have accused China of hostile behavior within their exclusive economic zones. These alleged actions include hazardous naval maneuvers, attacks with water cannons, and interference with supply operations.

China has countered these accusations by claiming the Philippines is violating territories that belong to China under international law.