An ambassador earns his place through diplomacy. Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan earns his through intimidation and disrespect. His suggestion that China could easily defeat the Philippines, followed by his embassy’s dare to lawmakers to demand his departure, reveals an envoy who confuses the privileges of his office with permission to hurl insults his hosts. He perfectly embodies Chinese arrogance and crudeness.
The controversy began on Oct. 15, when Jing answered questions following a forum. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro called China a regional troublemaker. Jing dismissed the characterization, suggested Filipinos should feel fortunate that China has not attacked the Philippines, invoked Beijing’s military superiority before professing peaceful intentions.
He said, “If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose force and we love peace.”
Consider the arrogance. Filipinos are effectively being asked to appreciate China for not attacking them. By this standard, a neighborhood owes gratitude to the strongest resident whenever he refrains from beating everyone else. Such reasoning belongs to a nation that thinks like a thug.
Philippine officials rightly objected. The Department of Foreign Affairs described the language as a veiled threat. Teodoro saw intimidation beneath the declaration of peaceful intent. Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela called it a direct threat. Sen. Risa Hontiveros demanded a retraction and apology, with diplomatic removal if Beijing refused corrective action.
BBM also considered the remarks threatening and undiplomatic. He wanted a discussion with Jing to establish exactly what the ambassador meant. Other lawmakers demanded his departure. The Chinese embassy responded by daring legislators to proceed, accusing them of bluffing and presenting their objections as hostility toward China.
China’s failure
This is another diplomatic failure on China’s part. China spends trillions to present itself as a responsible power deserving international respect. This, while its ambassador advertises a government that considers its capacity to crush a smaller country an argument for friendship. A so-called “mature civilization” deserves better representation than this juvenile diplomat who acts like a barbaric thug.
Jing’s actions makes China look powerful enough to intimidate, yet insecure enough to demand applause for its restraint. That is a humiliating advertisement for a government seeking regional leadership.
The embassy’s dare adds insult to intimidation. Its ambassador invokes military force. Filipino officials protest. The embassy then accuses Filipinos of coercion, turning those threatened into the aggressors. This is Beijing’s familiar tactic – provoke, deny responsibility and blame the offended country for the fallout.
Filipinos should reject this manipulation. Asking an ambassador to leave is a lawful diplomatic response. Threatening military defeat is intimidation. China cannot boast that it could crush the Philippines, call that a message of peace, then cry foul when Filipinos demand consequences.
This reflects badly on China. China increasingly behaves like a bully, demanding respect while refusing to show it. Such conduct makes China an irresponsible power that alienates its neighbors. Beijing has become a regional pariah through its own arrogance, intimidation and diplomatic recklessness. A country that seeks leadership should earn confidence through fairness and restraint.
Congress’ limits and BBM’s conundrum
Still, Congress has limited authority. It can condemn Jing, declare him unwelcome through a resolution and urge his removal. Such action carries political weight. But it does not, by itself, terminate Jing’s diplomatic functions. The operative decision belongs to BBM, acting through the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Article 9 of the Vienna Convention permits a receiving state to declare a diplomat persona non grata without explaining its decision. China would then have to recall Jing or terminate his functions. If it refused within a reasonable period, the Philippines could cease recognizing him as a member of the mission.
But BBM cannot readily follow the chime of Congress. There are consequences to consider. Beijing could retaliate against Philippine diplomats, obstruct commercial transactions or reduce official access. Worse, diplomatic communications on the West Philippine Sea issue may stall. These risks are real, but fear cannot excuse the endless bullying.
Malacañang wants to keep talks open and protect economic ties. That is understandable. But if every insult draws only a protest, Beijing may think it can bully us without consequences. Each unanswered provocation invites another.
So what should happen now?
Congress should pass a firm resolution condemning the intimidation and supporting executive action. Marcos should summon Jing and demand a retraction, an unequivocal assurance against threatening language and an end to embassy attacks that undermine constructive engagement. Manila must make its position unmistakable through official diplomatic channels.
More importantly, the Philippines should request that Beijing replace Jing. His conduct has damaged the confidence an ambassador needs to perform his duties. A replacement would allow China to preserve relations while acknowledging that this envoy has become a liability. If Beijing refuses and the intimidation continues, Marcos should declare him persona non grata.
Meanwhile, Manila should prepare for possible retaliation. Protect Filipinos in China and keep talks open through other diplomats. Sending Jing home need not close the embassy or end diplomatic ties. He should answer for his conduct while both countries continue cooperating with respect for Philippine sovereignty.
There is a cost to submission that never appears in trade statistics: the gradual acceptance that a stronger state may dictate how we speak, whom we criticize and what indignities we must swallow. No responsible government should normalize that relationship for its citizens.
The world is watching how we defend our dignity. Our allies cannot stand up for us if we will not stand up for ourselves. Trade and military weakness are no excuse to accept humiliation. We welcome friendship with China, but friendship requires respect. An ambassador who threatens us should leave. China should apologize.
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Email: andrew_rs6@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan