Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 20) — The government has other options in dealing with Chinese embassy officials amid Beijing’s increasing aggression in the West Philippine Sea instead of sending back Ambassador Huang Xilian, a former Supreme Court justice said.
“We could recall our own ambassador in Beijing or we could expel lower echelon officials of the Chinese embassy,” retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
He said addressing the issue should be calibrated depending on the seriousness of the situation. For now, it is too early and extreme to expel Huang since many things can still happen, he added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said the Chinese envoy should stay in his post as “he is just doing his job.” He made the comment amid calls for Huang to be sent back to China following Beijing’s recent aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has also said declaring the Chinese official persona non grata needs serious consideration.
