TOKYO, Japan 鈥� There are no moves to remove the Chinese envoy to the Philippines, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier called for the expulsion of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian following heightened aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
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鈥淲ell, he is the ambassador of China, so he will always take the Chinese position,鈥� Marcos said in a media interview.
Marcos said that he was personally upset by the tension in the West Philippine Sea, but this was not cause to expel Huang.
鈥淎gain, kung siguro, ako personally ang pinaguusapan (if we are talking about it personally), maybe I鈥檒l be upset but you are not talking about me, you are talking about the Philippines; it does not serve any purpose for us to lose our temper or overreact,鈥� said Marcos.
The President said that even if Huang was removed, he would simply be replaced with another envoy who touts the same Chinese narrative.
Marcos added that whoever the Chinese designated as its envoy to the Philippines was beyond Manila鈥檚 control.
Marcos reiterated, however, that China could still discuss this issue 鈥渙ver the table.鈥�
鈥淥f course, I wish we could talk about it over the table as opposed to colliding with each other鈥檚 ship in the open sea. Of course, I will prefer the less confrontational method of trying to decide these things, but it is what it is,鈥� said Marcos.
China鈥檚 aggressive tactics have increased within the past few months, with Chinese vessels firing water cannons and even directly ramming Philippine boats.
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