MANILA, Philippines — Senator Erwin Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, has confirmed he will hold a dialogue with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Monday, February 23, 2026.
The meeting, arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), comes at a time of heightened diplomatic tension between Manila and Beijing over maritime rights and recent public exchanges.
Key Context of the Meeting:
- Senate Resolution 256: Fifteen senators recently signed a resolution condemning the Chinese embassy’s recent public statements. The resolution criticizes the embassy for using language that “departs from the restraint, courtesy, and responsibility expected of diplomatic communications” after the embassy criticized Philippine officials for defending national sovereignty.
- West Philippine Sea Tensions: The dialogue follows a diplomatic protest filed by the Chinese embassy against Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea. China accused Tarriela of “smearing the dignity” of President Xi Jinping by posting a photo featuring an AI-generated image of the Chinese leader.
- DFA Support: DFA Spokesperson on Maritime Affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. stated that the agency welcomes the Senate’s openness to dialogue, viewing it as a necessary step to address mutual concerns and maintain diplomatic decorum.
Purpose of the Dialogue
While specific details regarding the location and full attendee list have not been disclosed, the meeting is expected to address the “word war” between Filipino lawmakers and the Chinese embassy. Tulfo intends to represent the sense of the Senate regarding mutual respect and non-interference in domestic affairs.