Jamaine Punzalan

Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan. Chinese Embassy in Manila

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ABS-CBN News

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770873169870629186986_1223109266605644_3567687085960710637_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan. Chinese Embassy in Manila </span></span></span></div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED) </strong>— Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan this week urged Manila to sit down and talk to “find ways to manage differences” amid an escalating war of words between Chinese diplomats and some Philippine officials. </p><p>“One may easily win a confrontation with a smaller neighbor but you hurt your relations with the neighbor for a long, long time. So nobody want to resort to force. Nobody want to fight with each other,” Jing said at a Chinese New Year celebration. </p><p>“That&#x27;s why the Chinese side always advocates dialogue. Let&#x27;s sit down. Let’s talk. Let’s find ways to manage differences,” he added. </p><p>The envoy noted that political dialogues between Manila and Beijing have “at times nearly come to a standstill” and only resumed in Cebu in January after stopping for over a year.</p><p>“We have not been meeting each other enough… This situation must change. And it must change quickly,” he said. </p><p>Jing’s remarks came in the heels of a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/cayetano-pangilinan-clash-over-tarriela-resolution-on-china-1947">Senate resolution</a> which condemned on Monday the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s remarks criticizing Philippine officials who asserted maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea. </p><p>The embassy has dubbed the resolution as a “political stunt.” </p><p>On Tuesday, it also<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/chinese-embassy-says-kalayaan-officials-not-welcome-in-china-1911"> banned officials of Kalayaan</a>, Palawan from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macao. Kalayaan is the country’s only municipality located in the West Philippine Sea.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/11/-i-hope-they-ban-me-remulla-plans-trip-to-kalayaan-after-china-bans-lgu-officials-1827">Remulla plans trip to Kalayaan after China bans LGU officials</a></div><p>The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said the ban does not contribute to fostering bilateral relations. It also <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/11/philippines-says-china-ban-vs-kalayaan-officials-does-not-foster-good-ties-1205">urged the embassy &quot;to be constructive </a>in its statements towards a healthy dialogue despite major differences with a view to advance the overall bilateral relationship.&quot;</p><p>In his speech, Ambassador Jing slammed alleged “false narratives” that “smear China and stoke confrontation.”</p><p>“It is the mission of our embassy to firmly, loudly, clearly say no to those people. We cannot allow those misinformation to mislead the public,” he said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>2 SENATORS CALL TO REPLACE CHINESE ENVOY</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Two senators have meanwhile called Jing to be replaced as ambassador over the word war with the Senate.</p><p>&quot;Diplomats representing their country they should not be hostile...  they&#x27;ve been very hostile against officials of our government,&quot; Sen. JV Ejercito said.</p><p>He said that this has not helped the relationship between the Philippines and China, which are already strained by the West Philippine Sea issue.</p><p>Sen. Raffy Tulfo meanwhile said he believes &quot;it will be best for the interest of the Chinese and Philippine relationship (for there to be a new ambassador).&quot; </p><p>He added: &quot;It will help a lot.&quot;</p><p>China claims the South China Sea, including parts of Philippine waters almost in its entirety despite an international ruling that its stance has no legal basis.</p><p>Beijing and Manila have had a series of confrontations in the sea in recent years, including collisions and Chinese ships using water cannons on Filipino vessels.</p><p>Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro earlier this month said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Beijing would accelerate long‑running talks on a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/28/negotiations-on-s-china-sea-code-of-conduct-unlikely-to-finish-this-2026-analyst-1523">South China Sea code of conduct </a>to a conclusion this year, with the Philippines as the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc.</p><p>The code has been under discussion for years, but the talks have stalled repeatedly over disagreements on its scope, enforcement and legal status.</p><p>Four ASEAN members — Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam — have laid partial claims to the South China Sea.</p><p>“Reaching that agreement (COC) would lay a solid foundation for managing maritime differences and advancing bilateral relations,” Jing said. </p><p>“We have talked for more than 13 years. This year, we&#x27;re really facing some opportunities that we can get something done.” <strong>— with RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JkxAvcTttrk" title="China bans officials of Kalayaan Islands from mainland, Hong Kong, Macau | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0w_R2VL4nRo" title="Senate adopts reso condemning Chinese officials&#x27; remarks vs PH officials after heated debate | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Beijing’s top diplomat this week urged Manila to sit down and talk to “find ways to manage differences” amid an escalating war of words between Chinese diplomats and Philippine officials, including senators.</p>

Beijing’s top diplomat this week urged Manila to sit down and talk to “find ways to manage differences” amid an escalating war of words between Chinese diplomats and Philippine officials, including senators.

China envoy tells Philippines: ‘Let’s talk’

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China envoy tells Philippines: ‘Let’s talk’

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News,

Agence France-Presse

Published Feb 12, 2026 01:19 PM PHT

|

Updated Feb 12, 2026 03:24 PM PHT

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West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

China

Philippines

Ambassador Jing Quan

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