Philippines summons China's ambassador after Beijing sanctions former senator who has been critical of China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/38235953

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China’s ambassador to Manila was summoned after Beijing imposed sanctions on a former Filipino senator who has been critical of China’s aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea, Philippine officials said Tuesday.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week that it was indefinitely prohibiting former Philippine senator Francis Tolentino from entering China and its territories of Hong Kong and Macao.

The ministry alluded to Tolentino as being among anti-China politicians who have resorted to “malicious words and deeds” that have harmed China’s interests and undermined China-Philippines relations.

“The Chinese government is determined to defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Philippine officials said the barring of Tolentino was “inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect.”

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