MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in Manila issued a sharp rebuke against the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), accusing Philippine diplomats of "selective quotation and overinterpretation" in a recently issued diplomatic statement.
The embassy expressed regret over Manila's official response, warning that misinterpreting diplomatic dialogue poses a serious obstacle to resolving ongoing territorial and political disputes between the two nations.
“Regrettably, the Department of Foreign Affairs has issued such a statement. This kind of selective quotation and overinterpretation demonstrates that there is still a long way to go in fostering effective communication and dialogue between China and the Philippines,” the Chinese Embassy said in a formal statement.
Emphasizing the core function of foreign relations, the embassy called for direct and honest engagement to prevent dangerous misjudgments: “Diplomacy must be honest and straightforward to reduce misunderstandings and prevent misjudgments. Ultimately, the fundamental purpose of diplomacy is to resolve differences and disputes and to avoid conflict or even war.”
