'Ch envoy actively working to improve ties'
By Nidz Godino
Amb Huang is doing his job for better China-Philippines relations," China's top diplomat in the Philippines is doing his job for "better" relations with Philippines.
Chinese embassy in Manila issued statement after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was personally "upset" by hostile behavior of Ambassador Huang Xilian, although he would not seek envoy's recall, as demanded by some quarters.
FMJ understood Huang was "just doing his job" to push China's stance on issue of West Philippine Sea.
Embassy is hopeful bilateral relations next year would bring more benefits to people of the two countries.
Calls were made to expel Huang because of his disrespectful behavior, including his alleged bullying of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
Chinese Foreign Ministry warned anew that Philippines' "tying itself to some major power and forcing China to back down on issues concerning China's core interests will lead nowhere."
China has repeatedly blamed Philippines for starting trouble in West Philippine Sea despite video evidence to contrary.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, meanwhile, reiterated his suspicions China could be funding destabilization plot against Marcos administration to divert attention from its bullying in WPS.
"Most of these people are influencers identified with former administration…they are being used for destabilization efforts," said Ejercito, who noted he has been targeted by trolls for his stance on WPS issue.
Ejercito clarified he does not believe former president Rodrigo Duterte is behind any destabilization effort. "There is perception that former president Duterte is pro-China but I don't think he is behind it… I'm hoping that they would realize they are being used for destabilization efforts… not going to do our country good…any destabilization, any adventurism, at this point, will not be good because it will only cause political instability and economic instability…we can't really progress anymore, would take while before country would be able to rebound…that's why I will not welcome any adventurism at this time, " he said.
He said other officials targeted by trolls were Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commander Jay Tarriela, who openly criticized China's bullying and aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
He said trolls were obviously behind spread of misleading information as messages were "copy-paste" or rehashed. "What I can't stomach is Filipinos will side with bully and aggressor like China."
Ejercito also respects Marcos' decision not to call for replacement of Huang.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized need for "paradigm shift" in tackling China's increasingly aggressive behavior in WPS as diplomatic efforts with Beijing were heading in "poor direction."
In interview with Japanese media, FMJ said "traditional methods of diplomacy"such as sending note verbales and summoning Chinese envoys had been disregarded by Beijing.
"We have been doing this for many years now, with very little progress, we have to do something that we have not done before…we have to come up with new concept, new principle,new idea so that we move needle other way…it's going up, let's move needle back...so paradigm shift is something that we have to formulate," FMJ was quoted as saying in release issued by Presidential Communications Office.
Relations between Philippines and China have deteriorated under Marcos, who has sought to strengthen ties with United States and push back against Beijing's aggressions in WPS.
In contrast, his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte pursued foreign policy shift toward China in exchange for investment pledges.
Earlier this month, government accused China Coast Guard of ramming and firing water cannons at Philippine supply boats.
China claims almost entire South China Sea, encompassing waters and islands close to its neighbors' shores. It has ignored international tribunal ruling in 2016, stated claims have no legal basis.
FMJ also said Philippines will continue talking to its partners not only in Indo-Pacific region but also globally if necessary, to de-escalate tension in vital waterway.
"We do not want to go to the point where there are incidents that might cause actual violent conflict, and so, we have, in my review, it's time countries that feel that they have involvement in this situation, we have to come up with paradigm shift , " chief executive said.
FMJ was in Tokyo to attend commemorative summit for 50th anniversary of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan friendship and cooperation.
Southeast Asian and Japanese leaders agreed to "strengthen dialogue and cooperation for maintenance of maritime security and safety and maritime order based on rule of law" in face of China's growing assertiveness.
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