Indo-Pacific Tensions: Philippines’ top diplomat swears at China on Twitter, tells nation to leave
AFP, MANILA
The Philippines’ top diplomat yesterday unambiguously told Beijing where to go, as the government said Chinese vessels were still illegally lingering in the disputed South China Sea.
“China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see. O. GET THE FUCK OUT,” Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin wrote on Twitter.
The latest spat between Manila and Beijing over the resource-rich waters which China claims almost entirely flared up in March after hundreds of Chinese boats were spotted inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Philippines Tells China to Get Its Ships The F Out of Disputed South China Sea Waters
On 5/3/21 at 10:27 AM EDT
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. lashed out at China on Twitter on Sunday night as tensions between the two countries continued to escalate over the South China Sea. China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see.O.GET THE F OUT, Locsin tweeted, referencing that China has vessels in the disputed waters.
Locsin also wrote: What are you doing to our friendship? You. Not us. We re trying. You. You re like an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend; not to father a Chinese province.
Get The F - Out Philippine Foreign Secretary Drops Diplomatic Language In Dispute With China
KEY POINTS
Locsin accuses China of straining its “friendship” with the Philippines.
His comments come as both sides engage in a war of words over the South China Sea
Manila and Beijing have for years made overlapping territorial claims in the sea
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. hit out at China on Monday amid the ongoing tensions between the two countries over the South China Sea. Opting for undiplomatic language on Twitter, Locsin asked the Asian giant to “get the f - out, triggering a row.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Directs Unusually Aggressive Tweet at Beijing Over South China Sea nbcnewyork.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nbcnewyork.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
EDITORIAL: Whitsun Reef lays bare US’ frailty
Last month, the Philippine National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea reported that more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels were anchored at the disputed Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea, known as Julian Felipe Reef in the Philippines.
The task force released astonishing photographs, which showed clusters of enormous fishing trawlers at anchor and tied together in neat rows. Needless to say, the ships were not engaging in commercial fishing activity; they belong to China’s “maritime militia.”
Beijing’s flimsy official explanation is that the vessels are temporarily seeking shelter from inclement weather. This is patently ridiculous, given the time that the ships have been loitering in the area.