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Cristina Chi - Philstar.com
January 29, 2026 | 3:52pm
MANILA, Philippines — The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy has challenged senators to declare Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata, saying the diplomat would leave "with immense pride and honor" if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expelled him from the country.
But even if their embassy were shut down, Chinese diplomats would keep attacking critics of Beijing, Embassy Spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said in a statement on Wednesday, January 28.
Ji made the remarks after Senate President Tito Sotto III two days ago floated the suggestion of declaring the embassy's deputy spokesperson, Guo Wei, persona non-grata, over his constant public rebukes of Philippine officials.
The embassy has drawn fierce criticism for spending the past month issuing pointed rebuttals against several Philippine officials. Besides Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jay Tarriela, the embassy has called out Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Rep. Chel Diokno (Akbayan) and Rep. Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal), among others, for their defense of the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
The Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that it has made "firm representations" to the embassy to convey its displeasure over the "escalating" exchange of barbs between it and Philippine officials. The department made clear that while it stood behind Philippine officials' defense of the country's rights, there is a "need for sober, professional and respectful exchanges in the public sphere."
The main theme of the Chinese side's statements is arguments supporting its claim on nearly the entire South China Sea, as well as reiterations of its long-standing rejection of the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line.
While this is not a new refrain for Beijing, the frequency and confrontational tone of the embassy’s recent call-outs appear to have started after Ambassador Jing arrived in December 2025 to replace former Ambassador Huang Xilian.
Some of the harsher remarks by Guo directly accuse Filipino lawmakers or Tarriela of not understanding or lying about international law or the principles that apply to the South China Sea dispute.
'No need to go through such trouble'
Instead of taking action against Guo, senators "could simply declare Ambassador Jing Quan 'persona non grata'—that would be the most straightforward approach," Ji said in the statement, also posted on the Chinese Embassy Manila Facebook page.
"As Ambassador, he bears responsibility for all words and actions of the Chinese Embassy," he said.
The spokesperson said the new Chinese ambassador was "appointed by President Xi Jinping and accepted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr." and that only Marcos has the authority to ask him to leave.
"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 had fulfilled the firm commitment a Chinese diplomat makes to his country," Ji said.
The spokesperson challenged senators to include himself and the embassy's entire 12-member media affairs and public diplomacy team if they intended to declare any Chinese diplomat persona non grata.
"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," he said.
Ji said he regretted being "unable to take part... in the impressive public exchanges of views over the past few weeks" as he was on leave in China.
Rebukes 'to continue'
In a veiled warning, Ji added that even if the embassy were shut down, Chinese diplomats would continue their public campaign.
"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," he said.
The spokesperson described the ambassador's 29-year diplomatic career, noting he spent 23 years working on US affairs and "experienced many extremely difficult moments in China-US relations, including closing consulates, expelling diplomats, sanctioning, trade wars."
"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," Ji said.
