Senate in talks with China embassy to schedule dialogue, says DFA

February 20, 2026 | 4:56pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is now directly coordinating with the Chinese Embassy in Manila to set a date for an in-person dialogue aimed at de-escalating their weeks-long feud over the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday, February 20.

DFA's spokesperson for maritime affairs, Rogelio Villanueva Jr., said the department welcomes the initiative pushed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, and shared that the Senate has begun reaching out to Beijing's mission in Manila on its own.

"It is our belief that the Senate is already making direct representations with the Embassy of Manila to find a mutually convenient date for that dialogue," Villanueva said in a press briefing.

He added that the DFA is ready to step in if needed: "If the Senate reaches out to the DFA, definitely we are prepared to extend the necessary assistance."

DFA rules out summons of Chinese ambassador

However, the DFA maintains it will not summon Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over the embassy's frequent and public call-outs of senators for their remarks defending the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. 

Former senator Francis Tolentino said earlier this week that the DFA should not meddle with the Senate's debates and instead summon Chinese embassy officials.

"We respect the opinion of Senator Tolentino," Villanueva said, adding that the DFA has "already made firm representations with serious concern to the Chinese embassy in Manila" and "urged them to engage in discourse in a calm and professional manner."

The proposed dialogue traces back to a Lunar New Year reception on February 11, where Jing urged Philippine officials to "sit down" and talk, saying political dialogue between Manila and Beijing had "nearly come to a standstill." Lacson said the remark was a "pleasant surprise" and proposed that Senate President Vicente Sotto III arrange a meeting with the Chinese diplomats either at the Senate, the embassy, or a neutral venue.

But not all senators are convinced. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan — who was among many lawmakers the Chinese embassy publicly criticized — said any talks hinge on the embassy's sincerity. "It's hard to trust them," he told reporters. 

Since Jing's arrival as China's new ambassador to Manila in December 2025, the embassy has taken a markedly more combative tone than under his predecessors. It has issued several Facebook and X posts in defense of its claims in the South China Sea, a number of which singled out Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela before expanding to Pangilinan, Representatives Chel Diokno (Akbayan) and Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal.

The Senate responded by passing a resolution that condemned the embassy's more aggressive messaging.