A tense exchange between China and the Philippines unfolded unexpectedly at an international defence forum in Seoul after a note from the Chinese side was handed to Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. during his speech.
Teodoro was participating in the Seoul Defence Dialogue on September 8, where he was discussing maritime security, the South China Sea and the importance of following the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In the middle of his remarks, a forum staff member placed a sheet of paper on the table in front of him. Teodoro picked it up and told the audience that he believed the message had come from China. He then decided to read the contents aloud.
The note reiterated Beijing's long-standing rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. It argued that the arbitration violated fundamental principles of international law and that the resulting award was illegal, had no binding force and was not recognised by China.
Teodoro responded to the arguments point by point.
When the note said the arbitration violated international law, Teodoro challenged the logic by referring to UNCLOS, the legal framework under which the Philippines had brought the case.
The note also stated that China neither accepted nor recognised the arbitration award. Teodoro responded with a pointed remark: “Of course, because you lost.”
Teodoro Calls the Move ‘Coercion’ and ‘Bullying’
After reading the message, Teodoro questioned why such a note had been delivered to him while he was addressing an international audience.
He argued that the episode was not simply about the legal disagreement over the South China Sea. In his view, the manner in which the message was delivered showed disrespect towards the forum's organisers and South Korea, which hosted the event.
Teodoro described the behaviour as “actual coercion, bullying and aggression” and said China should demonstrate greater basic decency in international forums.
He also said he would keep the piece of paper as a reminder of what he described as China's ineffective position in front of an international audience.
How Did the Note Reach Teodoro?
According to forum organisers, the note was reportedly sent by a Chinese military attaché at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
The attaché handed the message to a staff member and asked that it be passed to Teodoro. The staff member apparently mistook it for a communication from the Philippine delegation and delivered it to the defence secretary while he was speaking.
The incident therefore appears to have resulted from a procedural mix-up rather than a planned interruption of the speech.
What Is the South China Sea Dispute?
At the heart of the confrontation is the long-running maritime dispute between China and the Philippines.
A 2016 international arbitration tribunal ruling rejected key elements of China's expansive claims in the South China Sea and found that Beijing had no legal basis for certain historic-rights claims within areas covered by the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
China has consistently rejected the ruling, describing it as invalid and arguing that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction. Manila, however, continues to rely on the ruling in defending its maritime rights.
China's Foreign Ministry subsequently criticised what it described as attempts by some Philippine officials to stir up tensions and urged Manila to stop undermining bilateral relations and stability in the South China Sea.
The dramatic exchange in Seoul highlights how deeply the South China Sea dispute continues to affect China-Philippines relations, even in international diplomatic and defence forums.
