Philippine Defense Minister Denounces Chinese Note at Seoul Defense Dialogue

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. publicly denounced a handwritten note delivered to him during the Seoul Defense Dialogue, calling the gesture an act of coercion, intimidation, and aggression. The incident occurred during a question and answer session when a man approached Teodoro and handed him the document. Teodoro read the note to the audience, stating that it asserted China's position on the South China Sea arbitration is clear, consistent, and firm. He further noted that the memo described the 2016 arbitration award, which denied most of China's claims, as illegal, null and void.

Teodoro criticized the move as a lack of basic decency and a sign of disrespect toward the South Korean hosts and the international audience. He argued that China's actions violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the forum organizer stated the note originated from a military attache at the Chinese embassy in Seoul, who had passed it to a staff member to be delivered to Teodoro.

In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning urged certain people in the Philippines to stop lying and grandstanding. She called for the protection of China Philippines relations and the stability of the South China Sea. Both reports highlight the ongoing tension between the two nations over maritime sovereignty, though they differ in their presentation of the exchange.