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Gilberto Teodoro Jr. publicly rebukes China during Seoul Defense Dialogue

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. publicly rebuked China during the Seoul Defense Dialogue on Tuesday. While speaking at the international forum, Teodoro Jr. read aloud a handwritten note handed to him by the Chinese delegation. The note expressed China's position on the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling, which Beijing rejects. Teodoro Jr. accused China of "coercion, bullying and aggression" for sending a note that was intended for his eyes only. He described the note as a disrespect to international law and the Republic of Korea. China's Foreign Ministry stated that the administration was not aware of the specific incident but urged the Philippine official to stop the "provocations and theatrics." The interaction occurred as tensions between the two nations remain high over competing maritime claims. While the Philippine official has been sanctioned by Beijing since June for his previous remarks, he maintained that the note served as a memento of China's desperate position. The incident highlights the ongoing friction in the South China Sea, where China has recently declared a nature reserve around the Scarborough Shoal.

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