Palace draws the line: No economic retaliation against China

National

TRADE ties will remain separate from maritime disputes, Malacañang said on Tuesday, Oct. 27, rejecting economic retaliation against China amid increasingly heated exchanges between Philippine officials and the Chinese embassy.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said the Marcos administration would continue defending the country’s maritime rights while maintaining economic cooperation with Beijing, emphasizing the government’s preference for diplomatic engagement over retaliatory measures.

During a media briefing in Cagayan de Oro City, Castro was asked whether the government was considering a ban on nickel or other products from Surigao del Sur destined for China.

“That is not how our President thinks. The President does not approach the issue like children who are quarreling. The President and the administration are negotiating and engaging in discussions with the leadership of other countries through diplomatic channels,” Castro said in a Philstar report.

She added that the administration would not consider such retaliation, noting that the Philippines and China continue to cooperate in economic activities, trade and investment despite their maritime disagreements.

The Palace position comes amid reports of possible punitive measures from Beijing.

A report published by Chinese media on Oct. 22 said China was planning to impose sanctions on Filipino lawmakers over their alleged anti-China remarks.

Victor Lim, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., earlier urged Philippine officials to reconsider proposals to impose sanctions on Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan. He warned that retaliation from Beijing could further harm the Philippine economy.(MyTVCebu)