Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said China’s decision to bar officials from Kalayaan municipality from entering its territory, including Hong Kong and Macau, does not help improve relations between Manila and Beijing.
In a statement to reporters, the DFA acknowledged China’s sovereign right to control entry into its borders but warned that such moves could strain diplomatic engagement.
“The DFA notes the recent statement of the Chinese Embassy not to welcome Kalayaan Municipality councilors into China, including Hong Kong and Macau, on the basis of reciprocity,” the agency said.
“While preventing the entry of foreign nationals into their territory is a country’s sovereign prerogative, such actions do not contribute to fostering good and vibrant bilateral relations, especially in reinvigorating people-to-people interaction, which both the Philippines and China have committed to,” it added.
Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro echoed the position, saying the Philippines does not interfere in China’s internal policies.
“Kung anuman po ang naging desisyon at polisiya ng China ay hindi naman po natin ito saklaw, katulad din po na hindi po nila dapat masaklawan kung ano po ang nagiging desisyon ng administrasyon.”
[Translation: “Whatever decision or policy China makes is beyond our control, just as they should not interfere with the decisions of our administration.”]
Not meeting enough
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan said both countries need more engagement to stabilize relations.
Speaking during a Chinese New Year celebration in Taguig City on Tuesday, the envoy said political dialogue had slowed and people-to-people exchanges had declined sharply since the pandemic.
“One question has stayed with me throughout these weeks: How can China-Philippines relations stabilize as soon as possible and continue moving forward? In recent times, we have not been meeting each other enough,” Jing said.
He noted that visits between the two countries dropped from nearly three million before COVID-19 to fewer than 300,000 last year. The ambassador said both sides recently resumed talks, including a meeting in Cebu in late January, where they agreed on a roadmap to expand dialogue.
China’s move came after officials of Kalayaan, a municipality in Palawan that administers parts of the disputed Spratly Islands, declared Jing persona non grata and barred him from entering the islands.
Chinese embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said the travel ban on Kalayaan officials was imposed “based on the principle of reciprocity” after local resolutions in 2023 and 2026 declared the ambassador unwelcome.
Local officials affected by the ban include Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan, Vice Mayor Maurice Phillip Alexis Albayda and councilors and municipal personnel.
This is not the first time the town declared China’s top diplomat “unwelcome.” In 2023, Kalayaan officials also declared Chinese envoy Huang Xilian persona non grata.
