MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the recent statement of the Chinese Embassy in Manila attributing job losses among Filipinos to strained bilateral relations was "coercive."
The embassy said that any serious damage to diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines would "cost millions of jobs" as embassy officials and some senators engaged in word war over the West Philippine Sea.
The DFA on Monday night said it "values cooperation with all states across economic, cultural, and other domains, as it delivers clear benefits to the Philippines and its people."
"However, we take strong exception to the Embassy's tone, which appears to imply that such cooperation could be withheld as a form of leverage or retaliation," the DFA said in a statement.
"In the current atmosphere, this framing risks being perceived as coercive and undermines constructive bilateral dialogue," it added.
The Foreign Affairs department again urged the embassy "to adopt a responsible and measured tone in public exchanges."
The DFA said it "remains committed to diplomacy to stabilize and advance our bilateral relationship, notwithstanding profound differences."
In response to the DFA's concern, the embassy's spokesman Ji Lingpeng, said, "China remains committed to managing differences and resolving disputes with the Philippine side through dialogue and consultation."
"At the same time, we firmly oppose any slander or smear against China, as well as irresponsible remarks that incite hatred," Ji said on Tuesday.
"We urge the DFA to play a responsible role in restraining certain individuals in the Philippines from making such remarks, in order to prevent any undermining or harm to ongoing diplomatic efforts," he added.
