China on September 12 banned Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro, his wife, and children from entering its territory, including Hong Kong and Macau. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued the decision in a statement, citing Teodoro's remarks related to the South China Sea dispute.
Along with the entry ban, organizations and individuals in China are prohibited from conducting any transactions, cooperation, or activities with Teodoro and his family. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that Teodoro's comments 'harmed China's legitimate interests and undermined China-Philippines relations,' but did not specify which remarks were at issue.
This is the latest escalation in long-running tensions between the two countries over the South China Sea. Several other nations also claim parts of the waters, but Beijing asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire sea. A 2016 international tribunal ruling rejected China's claims, a decision Beijing does not recognize.
China regularly deploys naval and coast guard vessels in the strategic waters to prevent Philippine access to key islands and reefs. Collisions between vessels of the two countries, both civilian and military, have become frequent.
Last week, when unconfirmed reports of the ban emerged, Teodoro told local media ABS-CBN: 'I have no assets in China, and I have no plans to go there.' He added: 'Even if I wanted to visit, for the good food and decent people, it's overshadowed by the kind of government they have.'
At a summit in Singapore last month, Teodoro criticized China's activities in the disputed waters, declaring that Manila 'will not sacrifice our territorial integrity and sovereignty.' In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning last week called Teodoro 'a figure known for smearing China' and said 'all he cares about are his own selfish interests.'
So far, Teodoro and the Philippine government have not issued an official response to the ban.
