Awkward moment Chinese diplomat’s secret note is read out loud in front of live audience#china #seoul #korea #breakingnews At today's Seoul Defense Dialogue ...

At today’s Seoul Defense Dialogue 2026 held in Seoul, South Korea, when Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro was answering an audience question, someone from the CCP handed him a note “stating China’s position.” As a result, the Philippine Defense Secretary took the note and refuted it point by point in an impromptu speech. From news.com.au

  • Feathercrown@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    28 days ago

    Cleaned up from the YT transcript so it might contain inaccuracies. Block quotes used when the speaker is reading the note.

    [Speaker is handed a note from China while answering a question]

    China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration is clear, consistent, and firm. They have no position. The arbitration violates fundamental principles of international law.

    So, what you’re saying, UNCLOS, you mean violates international law. That’s what you mean.

    The so-called award is illegal, null, and void

    So say you.

    and has no binding force

    Because you don’t want to be subjected to UNCLOS.

    China neither accepts nor recognizes the award

    Of course, because you lost.

    and opposes it and will never accept any claim or action arising from it.

    These are words slipped to me. And there is a legal principle called res ipsa loquitur. The thing speaks for itself. How can you deal with a country in an international forum beyond the question asked to me disrespecting the organizers of this forum? How do you expect to deal with it civilly? I ask you the question. Is this the right paper to post to me when I’m being asked a question on the floor? And how will you treat this kind of behavior? It not only disrespects shows, if this is a Chinese position sent to me, it not only disrespects international law. Throwing UNCLOS to the floor and trampling upon it, but it also disrespects the basic decency accorded that should be accorded to our most gracious hosts, the Republic of Korea, and the rest of the audience here. So, perhaps basic decency and behavior is what China needs to do. Now, uh Thank you very much.

    [Applause]

    Even Filipino, maging disente lang kayo nang konte. Mahiya naman kayo nang konte. You can translate it in your own language. Now, to go back to the question, we need to coalesce. And secondly, this is not gray zone anymore. This is actual coercion, bullying, and aggression. I will keep this paper as a memento of how desperate China is and how ineffective its position is in the face of a free audience. Thank you very much for the person who gave me this piece of paper. You just done your country a great service. Thank you. And I hope you don’t suffer in a gulag for it.