Manila: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has formally protested against the state-run China Daily for its racist portrayal of Filipinos in a series of op-ed videos and editorial cartoons related to the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DFA has demanded that China Daily immediately remove the offensive materials. This protest follows a face-to-face meeting on July 16, where Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim expressed Manila's objection to Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan. The video, which depicted Filipinos as monkeys, was described as inconsistent with the mutual respect expected between states and detrimental to stable bilateral relations.

The DFA's formal diplomatic protest condemned the materials, stating that China Daily had crossed the line from legitimate political debate to demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist depictions of Filipinos. The department highlighted that while the Philippines rejects false narratives regarding the Arbitral Award, such disagreements do not justify resorting to inappropriate imagery in public discourse.

DFA spokesperson Analyn Ratonel emphasized the call for an immediate takedown of the material, warning that it only increases distrust between the two nations. She urged China to maintain dignity, respect, and truth in its public discourse.

The DFA reiterated its commitment to dialogue and diplomacy with China but affirmed it will continue to oppose discriminatory rhetoric. The Philippine Embassy in Beijing also issued a letter to the editor, accusing China Daily of breaching editorial norms and demanding the removal of the offensive content.