What you need to know about the diplomatic row involving Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan
Over the past few days, political talk has centered around Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan. Lawmakers have called for his expulsion while the Department of Foreign Affairs summoned him to formally object to a remark Quan made that the DFA described as a "thinly veiled threat."
This is how the latest diplomatic issue began and how it's turning out.
The root of the dispute
On Sunday, Oct. 11, while in Singapore, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters that, if proven true, allegations that Chinese companies funded a Philippine company linked to Vice President Sara Duterte's husband could pose a national security threat "at the highest level."
The following day, Duterte reacted to Marcos' statement by saying the Philippines—not China—was becoming the "troublemaker of Southeast Asia."
Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro then told reporters in a Zoom interview on Oct. 14 that China was the one causing trouble, not the Philippines.
At an ambush interview with media during the 2nd Diliman Dialogues in Quezon City on Oct. 15, Quan referred to Teodoro's comment as "nonsense."
He mentioned Chinese volunteer teachers in the Philippines being requested by their parents in early October to go back to China amid fears for their safety. Quan also recalled how some Chinese workers were arrested by the Philippine Army, referring to the five Chinese nationals apprehended by the Army in Agusan del Sur for working without the proper permits.
"Who's the troublemaker?" Quan asked. "Now, we should feel fortunate enough that you have a neighbor like China in this region. If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not choose to use force. We love peace. And in this region, we enjoy the peace."
'Thinly veiled threat'
Quan's comment about how China can "easily win" if they use force did not sit well with the Philippine government.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro strongly condemned the statement as a "thinly veiled threat" and a poor choice of words that was hardly helpful in the context of complicated bilateral ties. During a subsequent meeting with Quan, Lazaro formally objected to his assertion, calling his words "provocative and unacceptable," straining an "already sensitive bilateral atmosphere," and disregarded the "shared efforts of both countries to build mutual understanding and cooperation."
Lawmakers have also urged Palace action against Quan. Senator Risa Hontiveros on Oct. 20 filed Senate Resolution No.746 urging President Marcos to declare Quan persona non grata or request his recall by Beijing, a stance echoed by nine House representatives.
Senator Erwin Tulfo similarly urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to recommend persona non grata, while Senator Kiko Pangilinan asked Marcos to send "this hooligan back home."
Senator Robin Padilla, on the other hand, defended the envoy following a meeting at the 2026 ASEAN Chinese Business Leaders Summit, describing Quan as "edukado, gentleman, at diretsong kausap," while calling for open dialogue to prevent further conflict.
Despite mounting legislative pressure, Malacañang has signaled caution. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that President Marcos has no immediate plans to declare the envoy persona non grata.
"We know the president's view. He would not want this kind of declaration against any representative of another country here in our country," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said at a press briefing.
Castro said the Palace has yet to schedule a meeting between Marcos and Quan to address the latest diplomatic row, pending a report from DFA on Lazaro's meeting with the Chinese envoy.
Chinese embassy reacts
In the wake of the controversy, the Chinese Embassy in Manila took to social media to push back against Philippine critics and clarify its position.
Across multiple statements on Facebook, the embassy accused "some Philippine politicians and reporters" of twisting facts, taking words out of context, and attempting to exert pressure through media posturing.
"Some Philippine politicians should stop thinking they can get what they want by pressuring China. The Chinese people don't buy it. Worse, their pressuring is based on twisting words and taking things out of context," it wrote.
Echoing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, the embassy reiterated that China seeks to maintain and strengthen ties, provided Manila holds a "full and accurate understanding" of Beijing’s intentions.
The embassy also sought to clarify key points from Ambassador Jing Quan's address at the 2nd Diliman Dialogues. Quan stressed that maritime disputes should not define the overall relationship and urged both nations to "maintain a safe distance" to avoid conflict. He emphasized that despite tensions, trade, tourism, and law enforcement cooperation remain strong—reinforcing China’s stance that bilateral differences should be managed strictly through dialogue rather than public confrontation.
"China regards the Philippines as a close neighbor and friend with deep historical and cultural ties," the post read, adding that "differences should be managed through dialogue."