CHINESE Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian criticized Manila’s calls for expelling Chinese diplomats who allegedly wiretapped a conversation with a senior Philippine military official.
Philippines’ National Security Adviser Eduardo Año cited an alleged recording of a phone conversation with Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos about a reported deal with Beijing for a “new model” for managing the dispute over Ayungin Shoal.
Lin said on Friday that what the Filipino official said showed a guilty conscience in the face of facts and evidence.
“The relevant statement from the Philippine side has proven that they are so anxious, so desperate and so unscrupulous in the face of facts and evidence,” said Lin Jian, Spokesman, Chinese Foreign Ministry.
He urged the Philippines to ensure that Chinese diplomats can carry out their duties normally and to stop provocations and infringements to avoid backlash.
“China solemnly demands the Philippine side to take necessary measures to ensure the normal performance of duties by the Chinese diplomats, stop making infringement and provocations, refrain from denying facts, not to act recklessly, and avoid backfire on itself,” added Lin Jian.
PH Foreign Affairs: Do not fall for false narrative
A day before this, the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs warned the public against being misled by alleged false narratives.
It says releasing unverified recordings of alleged conversations with Philippine officials could be an attempt to sow discord and confusion among Philippine agencies and the Filipino public.
It also reminded diplomats to strictly adhere to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Philippine Defense Chief Gilbert Teodoro on Wednesday slammed the Chinese Embassy for violating the Anti-Wiretapping Law, a day after it released the audio recording.
Meanwhile, on May 7th, the Foreign Affairs clarified that no Cabinet-level official from the Marcos administration has agreed to any Chinese proposal regarding the West Philippine Sea.
It also emphasized that only the President of the Philippines can approve or authorize agreements concerning the contested waters.
Under the Marcos administration, the country has significantly increased its assertiveness in territorial waters, resulting in a series of standoffs with China over the past year.
