In a statement posted on the embassy’s Facebook page, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy did not identify the involved Filipino envoy although it was clear that he was referring to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, reportedly a second cousin of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The embassy official chided the Filipino ambassador for allegedly spreading “speculations and malicious smears against China.”

On Wednesday, Romualdez said that although the US considers a potential Taiwan conflict as a serious concern, he is convinced that the “real flashpoint is the West Philippine Sea” in view of the “skirmishes” that have been happening in the area.

“It is deplorable that the said individual , in ignorance of basic facts, again used the South China Sea issue to hype up and launch a baseless accusations and malicious smear campaign against China,” the Chinese embassy stated said, apparently referring to Romualdez.

The embassy added: “We urge the said individual to stop spreading erroneous “china threat: and ‘Sinophobia’ remarks , refrain from serving as mouthpiece for another a country and do more for the benefit of his own people and his country;’s relations with China instead.”

Romualdez’ statement on Wednesday cited the on-going tension between Philippines and China is more concerning compared to the possible escalation of dispute between China and Taiwan.

But while China refused to take the blame for the on-going tension over the WPS, it continues to conduct actions that are far from friendly.

On Sunday, the Philippine Navy spotted two Chinese ships sa may lugar ng Benham Rise that clearly belongs to the Philippines.

The number of Chinese maritime milita vessels around reported vital features of the WPS have increased by 23 percent in 2023, reorted the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. (AMTI).