MANILA, Philippines — Tensions between the Philippine legislature and Beijing escalated on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as the Chinese Embassy in Manila issued a sharp rebuke against Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and other lawmakers.
Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng accused certain senators of repeatedly “threatening and intimidating” foreign diplomats, reversing Sotto’s earlier claims that Chinese officials had been disrespectful and rude toward the Philippine government.
Key Points of the Embassy’s Statement
- Allegations of Intimidation: Ji pointed to instances where senators told Chinese diplomats to “leave” during plenary sessions and proposed declaring them persona non grata. “Who is trying to silence the other side?” Ji asked, denying that the embassy sought to stifle the Senate’s voice.
- Rejection of Labels: The spokesperson objected to lawmakers describing China as a “bully” or labeling the embassy as a “bad guest” or a “troll farm.”
- Diplomatic Rights: Ji maintained that the embassy has the right under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to respond to “baseless attacks and smears.” He characterized the embassy as both a “bridge” for friendly exchange and a “fortress” for safeguarding China’s dignity.
- Firm Response: The embassy warned that it will continue to respond firmly if China is “maliciously vilified” and stated that pressure through “resolutions or endless complaints” would not succeed.
Legislative Backdrop The exchange follows the Senate’s adoption of Resolution No. 256 on Monday. The measure formally condemned the Chinese Embassy for previous statements that criticized Philippine officials who were defending the country’s national sovereignty and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.
While some senators had pushed to officially recommend that President Marcos expel specific diplomats, the final resolution focused on a collective condemnation of the embassy’s “intimidating” language.
Escalating Rhetoric The war of words underscores a deepening rift in diplomatic relations, even as both sides officially maintain they are open to “constructive dialogue.” The Senate’s firm stance on maritime rights and the Embassy’s aggressive counter-messaging reflect the ongoing friction over territorial disputes and the conduct of foreign officials within Philippine jurisdiction.
Senate President Sotto has yet to issue a formal counter-response to the embassy’s latest accusations of intimidation, but the atmosphere at the Batasang Pambansa suggests that legislative scrutiny of Chinese diplomatic activity is likely to intensify.