Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan said the Chinese government was not behind a controversial China Daily editorial that depicted Filipinos as a monkey, describing it as an action of the media and not the state.
Speaking to reporters after meeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang, Jing said Beijing does not control the content produced by every media organization in China despite questions over the editorial published by China Daily, which is owned by the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department.
“I think our spokesperson said very clearly, it’s just the media’s action. And it’s nothing related to government,” Jing said.
“There are so many media in China. We cannot ask each media, each video, each article, each paper, you know, to try to control. No, no, no,” he added.
Jing declined to elaborate further, saying, “When we say we don’t have comments, that’s our position.”
Despite ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the ambassador appealed for stronger engagement between Manila and Beijing, stressing that China has maritime and territorial disputes with several neighboring countries.
“We have disputes, maritime disputes, border issues, not just with the Philippines,” he said, citing China’s disagreements with India, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Jing questioned why tensions between China and the Philippines had become more pronounced than Beijing’s disputes with other countries, emphasizing that both sides should continue dialogue.
“Our principle is always, first, let’s talk, negotiation, sit down, calm down, find a way, address each other’s concern if we have differences,” he said.
He added that if disputes cannot be resolved immediately, both countries should temporarily set them aside and pursue areas of mutual cooperation.
Jing cited the 2018 memorandum of understanding on joint oil and gas development, saying political tensions prevented both countries from maximizing its potential.
“If we started eight years ago, maybe we already benefit from our cooperation,” he said. “People say never say too late. If we start today, maybe in three years we can have the first barrel of gas.”
The envoy urged both governments to move beyond exchanging accusations and instead focus on practical cooperation.
“Let’s do something, take some action, not always talk, blame each other, point finger to each other. Let’s do something, treat each other like neighbors, friends,” he said.
Jing also confirmed that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi would meet Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila.
