Remarks of the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines Ji Lingpeng on Some Philippine legislators Calling for Declaring Particular Chinese Diplomat Persona Non Grata
Q: Recently, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines made firm response to lies and smearing remarks about China and the Chinese leader by Jay Tarriela, the so-called PCG spokesperson for the “West Philippine Sea”. Following that, some Philippine legislators claimed that the Chinese Embassy “interfered in the Philippines’ internal affairs” and “showed disrespect”. Certain senators proposed a resolution expressing an anti-China position and even suggested that a diplomat of the Embassy be declared persona non grata. What is your comment?
A: I think there is no need to go through such trouble. They could simply declare Ambassador Jing Quan “persona non grata”—that would be the most straightforward approach. As Ambassador, he bears responsibility for all words and actions of the Chinese Embassy.
Over his 29-year diplomatic career, Ambassador Jing had spent 23 years working on US affairs. He had experienced many extremely difficult moments in China-US relations, including closing consulates, expelling diplomats, sanctioning, trade wars, etc. In the US congress hundreds of anti-China bills or resolutions were introduced a year. Throughout all of this, Ambassador Jing never blinked his eyes, steadfastly defending China’s interests and dignity because this is the duty and responsibility of a diplomat.
Ambassador Jing is appointed by President Xi Jinping and accepted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. In the Philippines, there is but one person who has the authority to ask Ambassador Jing to leave, and that is President Marcos. If he were to receive such notice from President Marcos, he would depart immediately. But he would do so with immense pride and honor, knowing that through his actions, he has fulfilled the firm commitment a Chinese diplomat makes to his country.
As I was on leave in China recently, I regret that I was unable to take part in the above-mentioned impressive public exchanges of views over the past few weeks. If anyone intends to declare any Chinese diplomat “persona non grata”, please do include myself and the entire 12-member media affairs and public diplomacy team. As a team, we stay or leave, together.
That said, rest assured that even if the embassy were to be closed, we would continue, without hesitation, to push back slanders and smears against China through various channels. This is the most basic duty of Chinese diplomats. If a diplomat cannot even do that, then what is the point of having diplomats at all?
Source： The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines
