Have Some Shame: Philippines Defence Chief Slams China Over South China Sea Claims

China and the Philippines traded sharp words over the South China Sea on Wednesday after Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr accused Beijing of coercion, bullying and aggression during an international conference in Seoul.

The confrontation occurred on Tuesday during the Seoul Defence Dialogue, where Teodoro was participating in a panel discussion. A conference staffer approached him with a note from a Chinese official while he was speaking.

According to Teodoro, the note stated that China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration was “clear, consistent, and firm” and argued that the arbitration violated fundamental principles of international law. It said the 2016 award was “illegal, null, and void”, had no binding force and that China “neither accepts nor recognises” it.

The Philippine defence chief read the note aloud before hitting back: “Of course, because you lost.” He accused China of disregarding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and disrespecting South Korea, the conference hosts and other participants.

“This is actual coercion, bullying, and aggression,” Teodoro said. Switching to Tagalog, he also told Chinese officials to “have some shame” and questioned whether such behaviour was appropriate at an international forum.

Organisers later told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the note came from a Chinese military attaché at the Chinese embassy in Seoul. The attaché reportedly gave it to a conference staff member and asked that it be delivered to Teodoro.

The note referred to the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which rejected key aspects of China’s expansive South China Sea claims under the so-called nine dash line. Beijing has consistently rejected the ruling and maintains that it is illegal and has no binding effect on China.

China responded on Wednesday, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning saying Beijing’s position on the arbitration case remained clear and consistent. She urged Philippine officials to stop “seeking attention and stirring up trouble” and warned against undermining China Philippines relations and stability in the South China Sea.

Tensions have intensified this year. Manila has accused China of provocative and violent actions in waters it calls the West Philippine Sea, including multiple confrontations in July. The Philippines said Chinese personnel injured a Filipino sailor during one incident, while Beijing accused Philippine boats of ramming a Chinese vessel.

The South China Sea is also contested by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan and remains a major strategic and trade route as well as one of Asia’s most dangerous geopolitical flashpoints.