After seven days of silence, Marcos finally issued a public statement in which he made it clear that he did not support the expulsion of the Chinese ambassador and stressed that there is no need for the Philippine side to overreact to this, especially in the context of the bilateral relationship between China and the Philippines. This statement has triggered people to think about Marcos's real position on the South China Sea issue and the important signals contained in it.
Marcos said at the Japan-ASEAN summit that he did not approve of the expulsion despite his concerns about the Chinese ambassador's tough stance on the South China Sea, according to Lianhe Zaobao.
In his view, it was the responsibility of ambassadors abroad to clearly express their national position, and even if there was an expulsion or replacement, the next ambassador would perform the same duties. Therefore, there is no need for the Philippine side to overreact to this.
Although Marcos** has no plans to expel the Chinese ambassador, the Philippines' hardline stance on the South China Sea issue has not weakened. Marcos said on the 16th that the root cause of tensions in the South China Sea lies with China, and that China has become a "real challenge" to its Asian neighbors. In the face of this situation, the Philippines will continue to advocate for peace and resolve the issue of energy exploration in the South China Sea through communication with other countries.
Analysts believe that Marcos**'s statement after seven days of silence suggests that they may lack a sincere will to solve the problem, despite their reluctance to escalate the situation to the point of no control. The Philippines threatened to list the Chinese ambassador as "persona non grata" after proposing diplomacy on the 11th and summoning him, which called into question Marcos's statement.
Marcos' public statement that he does not intend to expel the Chinese ambassador does not prove that the Philippines will not sever diplomatic relations with China, let alone that its position on the South China Sea issue has changed. Because the deterioration of China-Philippines relations is not only not in the national interest of the Philippines, but also in the personal interest of Marcos. Marcos' remarks may simply send a "détente" signal to the outside world that the Philippines does not intend to sever diplomatic ties with China.
It is worth noting that the Philippines did not seriously reflect on its mistakes during the seven-day silence, but became more arrogant with the support of the United States and Western countries. While there has been opposition at home, some people, including Deputy Sarah Duterte, have raised objections to Marcos' policies.
Some analysts pointed out that the former spokesman of the Philippines believes that Vietnam, which is also a party to the South China Sea dispute, is moving closer to China, while the Philippines is demonizing China and arguing with it, which shows that Marcos's China policy is irrational. If Marcos** continues to adhere to the foreign policy toward China and follow the United States in containing China, it could lead to a total collapse of the Philippine national economy and a more severe poverty problem.
Marcos**, who has taken a tough stance on the South China Sea issue and strengthened his trilateral cooperation plan with the United States, Japan and the Philippines, has also elicited a response from China. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin pointed out at a regular press conference that the Philippines' reliance on external support, ignoring China's goodwill and restraint, and constantly provoking China's principles and bottom line are the main risks leading to the escalation of maritime tensions.
China hopes that the Philippines will have a clear understanding of the situation, understand that relying on the support of a few major countries, and forcing China to make compromises on issues of core interests is futile and will only undermine the Philippines' own interests and regional peace and stability. China's determination to uphold its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests will not change, and if the Philippines insists on going its own way and constantly challenging China's bottom line, then China will have to take resolute measures to respond.