Lawmaker Reveals Chinese Ambassador's Threat: 'Don't Provoke Us'

A Philippine lawmaker revealed this week an alleged threat the country's top military official received from China's ambassador as tensions soared over differences in the South China Sea.

Huang Xilian, the Chinese envoy, was "very hostile" during a recent meeting with Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the chief of staff of the Philippines armed forces, according to Philippine Sen. JV Ejercito.

"[Brawner] told me on one occasion, Huang confronted him and even aggressively pointed at him while saying: 'Don't provoke us,'" Ejercito recounted to Tagalog-language news channel One PH on Tuesday.

The revelation came in the days after the Philippines accused China's coast guard vessels of harassing, blocking and firing water cannons at Philippine supply boats near Beijing-controlled Scarborough Shoal on Saturday and Manila-held Second Thomas Shoal on Sunday.

The territories, claimed by both governments, lie in the Spratly Islands, whose ownership is contested by half a dozen countries in the region. The archipelago, where at least three of China's artificial islands have been fully militarized , is located within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, giving it a sovereign right over its underwater resources.

Ejercito told One PH that Huang should have fostered a "line of diplomacy" between Beijing and Manila. A replacement might do better, he suggested.

"Imagine, Huang is bullying our chief of staff...that's probably another level of disrespect," he was quoted as saying. "If Huang can be disrespectful in our host country , then that is already his attitude. I hope he gets replaced, if China wants to remain friends and lessen tensions in the [ South China Sea .]"

On Wednesday, the lawmaker told CNN Philippines: "I reiterate not to cut ties but for him to be replaced with someone more diplomatic so that we can still talk and have communication lines open."

Ejercito's office didn't immediately respond to Newsweek 's query about when the exchange between Huang and Brawner took place.

China 's embassy in Manila did not respond to a written request for comment before publication.

On December 10, after the Chinese coast guard accused a Philippine supply boat of deliberately ramming a Chinese government vessel, Ejercito wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "China Government is really a liar!"

Ejercito is one of several Philippine lawmakers who have urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to excel Huang. China's envoy was summoned to Manila's foreign affairs department for a formal rebuke earlier on Monday, when he also delivered his own protest on behalf of Beijing, the Chinese Embassy said.

Juan Miguel Zubiri, president of the Philippine Senate , has also asked for Huang to be sent home. He told local news channel ANC on Tuesday that Huang had "failed diplomatically."

Teresita Daza, the Philippines' foreign affairs spokesperson, said this week that declaring Huang "persona non grata" would require "serious consideration."

The consecutive days of clashes over the weekend happened against a backdrop of other "gray zone" maneuvers by China's maritime militia fleet, which was seen massed around Whitsun Reef , claimed by the Philippines, this week, according to satellite photographs.

Additionally, a civilian-led " Christmas convoy ," which had planned to deliver provisions to Philippine front-line troops and fishermen in the Spratlys, was forced to turn back on Sunday after "constant shadowing" by China's coast guard and navy, its organizer said.