Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 24) — Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva believes it may be time to send back Ambassador Huang Xilian to Beijing in light of China’s fresh acts of aggression and replace him with a new one who would uphold international law.
\”With this aggression committed anew by China, it may be the right time for the Chinese ambassador to be sent home to Beijing and be replaced with someone who would prioritize adherence to international laws,\” the senator said in a statement.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned Xilian over “dangerous maneuvers” by Chinese vessels that led to two collision incidents near the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The envoy, however, was out of town.
Beijing maintained that the Filipino ships were carrying illegal construction materials and that its response of blocking the vessels en route to BRP Sierra Madre was lawful and professional.
“The intrusion of the Chinese Coast Guard — hitting and damaging the Philippine navy ships delivering essential supplies in Ayungin Shoal — is undoubtedly an escalated form of harassment,” Villanueva said.
