The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has urged diplomats accredited to the Philippines to exercise restraint and responsibility in public statements following recent social media posts by the Chinese Embassy.
In a statement Thursday, the DFA said the tone and language used in the embassy’s latest social media statements were escalatory and undiplomatic, eroding mutual trust and undermining efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations.
The department stressed that diplomats are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting diplomatic envoys, particularly when communicating through social media.
The DFA also reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to its One China Policy, which is anchored on the 1975 Philippines-China Joint Communique.
It reiterated that the Philippines recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and understands and respects the Chinese government’s position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.
The department said relevant Philippine regulations reflect the country’s consistent implementation of the One China Policy.
The statement also reiterated the DFA’s Oct. 15, 2026, statement concerning diplomatic conduct.
Despite the latest exchange of public statements, the DFA emphasized that the Philippines values its relations with China.
It said the Chinese Embassy’s recent public statements do not reflect the longstanding spirit of constructive engagement between the two countries and their foreign ministries.
The department added that such statements are not conducive to good relations or the effective performance of diplomatic functions.
The DFA also said the Philippines reserves the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary.
The statement did not specify what additional diplomatic measures the Philippines might consider.
