China’s ambassador to Manila, Jing Quan, says Beijing could “easily win” a military confrontation with the Philippines, while also saying it would not choose to use force to settle maritime disputes. The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where both countries clash over claims and reported maritime activities.
The comments follow criticism from the Philippines’ defence chief, Gilberto Teodoro, who recently described China as a regional “troublemaker.” Across the outlets, the ambassador’s warning is also linked to the status of military contacts: Jing Quan says the Philippines faces a higher risk of confrontation if it does not restore direct military-to-military communications, which the Philippines has suspended for several years under Teodoro’s leadership.
Some coverage highlights how the statements could be read as a threat, while China’s position is presented as emphasising deterrence without escalation. The reporting notes that China maintains broad claims in the South China Sea, despite an international ruling that rejects the legal basis of its assertions, a backdrop to the current exchanges.
