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The Philippines has lodged a formal diplomatic protest against China over what it described as the “racist depiction” of Filipinos in videos published by state-backed outlet China Daily, intensifying tensions already strained by the South China Sea dispute.
In a statement, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the videos for portraying Filipinos as monkeys, calling the content “demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist” and far beyond the bounds of legitimate political discourse.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro raised the issue directly with China’s ambassador, while Manila also filed an official protest.
The Philippine embassy in Beijing issued an open letter to China Daily, accusing the publication of breaching journalistic standards and urging it to uphold “dignity, respect, and truth” in its reporting.
The controversial videos were released as part of a series marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling, which overwhelmingly favored the Philippines and rejected China’s expansive territorial claims.
Beijing, however, has consistently dismissed the ruling and continues to assert control over much of the resource-rich waterway.
The diplomatic row underscores deeper geopolitical tensions between the two nations.
Disputes over key areas such as the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal have led to repeated confrontations at sea, including collisions and the use of water cannons by Chinese vessels against Philippine ships.
The South China Sea remains a strategic flashpoint, believed to hold vast reserves of oil and natural gas and serving as a vital global shipping route.
The Philippines has received support from allies including the United States, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom, all of which have reiterated calls for adherence to international law and respect for the 2016 tribunal ruling.
As of now, neither China’s Foreign Ministry nor China Daily has publicly responded to the protest, leaving the dispute over the controversial content unresolved while broader regional tensions persist.
