Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. Counters China’s Criticism of Ambassador Romualdez
WASHINGTON D.C. — The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. has formally responded to criticisms made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila directed at Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez.
According to Philippines News Agency, it refuted claims that Romualdez acted as a mouthpiece for another country or spread ‘erroneous ‘China threat’ and ‘Sinophobia’ remarks. The embassy underscored that Romualdez’s comments on the South China Sea align with the official stance of the Philippine government, particularly concerning the aggressive actions by the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia against Philippine vessels, personnel, and fishermen.
The statement highlighted instances of unlawful and provocative behavior, including the use of lasers, water cannons, and dangerous maneuvers by Chinese vessels, actions which contravene international maritime norms. These developments come amidst ongoing disputes over sovereignty and rights within the South China Sea, an area marked by intense geopolitical friction.
The Chinese Embassy previously urged Ambassador Romualdez to halt the dissemination of what it considers to be misleading information and accused him of exacerbating tensions in the region. China maintains that it prefers to resolve South China Sea disputes through dialogue and consultation while protecting its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.
The Philippine Embassy’s rebuttal emphasized that defending its territory and maritime entitlements should not be misconstrued as serving the interests of any third party. This defense, the embassy stated, is a legitimate expression of the Philippines’ sovereignty, rights, and jurisdiction, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. The statement also reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to an international rules-based order, highlighting adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award. The Philippines continues to seek collaboration with like-minded nations to uphold these principles.