Chinese consul general in Cebu warns of consequences over Cebu's WPS resolution, Teodoro invitation

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FRIENDSHIP or confrontation?

China's Consul General in Cebu, Zhang Zhen, on Monday, July 13, issued a pointed warning to the Cebu City Council over its recent resolution marking West Philippine Sea (WPS) Celebration Day.

In a briefing with members of the press in Cebu, the diplomat framed the move as a choice between "friendship or confrontation" with Beijing.

“As the Chinese Consul General based in Cebu, I really did not expect such a blatant provocation,” she told reporters.

Zhang's remarks came in response to the council's decision to invite Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. — whom China has sanctioned and declared persona non grata along with his family — to an event she referred to as a "so-called collaboration ceremony."

“Through this kind of move—including today’s so‑called “collaboration ceremony”—a message is being sent to China: it raises the question of whether Cebu City chooses friendship or confrontation; whether they wish to move forward with exchanges and cooperation, or choose instead to provoke China and allow such negative moves to undermine the friendship between the two sides,” added Zhang.

For context, the Chinese government, through its consulate office in Cebu City, filed a diplomatic protest for declaring July 12 as ‘West Philippine Sea Victory Day.’

The annual observance commemorates the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's sweeping maritime claims.

The city government, in turn, celebrated its official commemoration at Cebu City Hall on July 13, joined by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

But hours after, Zhang reiterated that Beijing does not acknowledge the United Nations ruling.

In response, she warned that such moves may potentially harm ties between Cebu and China, and invoked the deep historical and cultural ties between the city and Xiamen.

Zhang also suggested consequences could extend to Cebu's economy, noting the city's openness and cultural diversity as reasons many Chinese tourists choose it as a destination.

She said the council's move "is not what I expect," adding that the remarks and actions of local officials "will have a direct or indirect impact, whether short-term or long-term, in one way or another" — without specifying what form that impact might take.

Furthermore, the consul general also took aim at the council's motivations, suggesting genuine public service and "patriotism" are not always the same thing.

"The people of Cebu can clearly see what kind of politician is genuinely serving the people in the name of patriotism, and who is actually harming the people's well-being," Zhang said.

As of this writing, the Cebu City Council and Teodoro's office have yet to issue formal responses to Zhang's statement.(RBE)