What was intended to be a subtle diplomacy move unexpectedly turned into a viral public dressing-down of Beijing after Philippines Defence Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. was handed a note outlining China’s position mid-speech at the Seoul Defence Dialogue in South Korea.
While Teodoro was addressing maritime challenges, a staff member placed a sheet of paper on his table. Pausing his remarks, Teodoro picked up the message and read it aloud to the audience, revealing it to be a note asserting that China’s stance on the South China Sea arbitration was “clear, consistent and firm” and that the landmark 2016 UNCLOS ruling was invalid.
A Staffer’s Mix-Up Leads to Open Confrontation
Forum organizers later clarified that the incident was the result of a organizational mix-up. A Chinese military attaché with the Chinese Embassy in Seoul had handed the note to a forum staff member, asking for it to be delivered to Teodoro. The staff member mistakenly assumed it was a communication from Teodoro’s own delegation and placed it in front of him while he was actively speaking.
Rather than brushing the message aside, Teodoro seized the moment to challenge Beijing’s aggressive tactics and question its respect for basic diplomatic norms:
- Dismantling Beijing’s Conduct: “How can you deal with a country in an international forum—beyond the question asked me—disrespecting the organizers of this forum? How do you expect to deal with it civilly?” Teodoro asked, directly accusing China of “coercion, bullying and aggression”.
- Defending International Law: He noted that the delivery of the note not only trampled upon international maritime law (UNCLOS), but also disrespected host country South Korea and the international audience.
- A Bold Parting Shot: Teodoro declared he would keep the note as a “memento” of China’s desperation. Turning to the person who handed him the paper, he added a sarcastic jab: “You’ve just done your country a great service. Thank you, and I hope you don’t suffer in a gulag for it.”
Teodoro reaffirmed that the Philippines faces daily challenges in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from Chinese forces attempting to occupy disputed territory, adding that Manila will continue to strengthen its international alliances to protect its sovereignty.
Responding to the incident, the Chinese Foreign Ministry advised “some people in the Philippines to stop trying to stir up trouble,” though the blunder ultimately provided Manila with a global platform to reinforce its position on the South China Sea.
