ASEAN Beat | Diplomacy | Politics | Southeast Asia

After War of Words, China Says Relations With Philippines at ‘Critical Juncture’

Growing political polarization has the potential to undermine Manila’s ability to handle its ongoing maritime disputes with Beijing.

China on Friday expressed willingness to improve its relationship with the Philippines, but admitted that relations were at “an extremely sensitive and critical juncture” due to the actions of unnamed “outside forces.”

The two governments have been engaged in a war of words since Friday, when Jing Quan, China’s ambassador to Manila, declared that China could “easily win” a war with the Philippines. Jing was responding to a remark by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who the day prior described China as the lone “troublemaker” in Southeast Asia, due to its aggressive actions in contested parts of the South China Sea.

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China on Friday expressed willingness to improve its relationship with the Philippines, but admitted that relations were at “an extremely sensitive and critical juncture” due to the actions of unnamed “outside forces.”

The two governments have........

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