Person

Maria Theresa Lazaro

1. Follow-up: Philippine Foreign Secretary Lazaro summons Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over 'easy win' remarks

   The Philippine foreign ministry said on Oct 19 that Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to express serious concern and strong objection to his remarks to media last week, calling them provocative, unacceptable and conveying a threat of force. Jing had said China would win easily in any conflict but loves peace and would not use force, and that the Philippines should feel fortunate to have China as a neighbour, after the Philippine defence secretary called China a regional troublemaker. RFI reported the presidential palace said it would not declare Jing persona non grata.

   Oct 20, 2026 Morning