‘China needs to learn some decency’: Philippine Defence Chief publicly shames China's note to him while he was speaking during Seoul forum. Watch

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro publicly rebuked China after a note carrying Beijing’s position on the South China Sea was handed to him while he was speaking at a defence conference in Seoul.

The unusual exchange took place during the Seoul Defence Dialogue in South Korea, where Teodoro was addressing delegates when a document was delivered to him from behind. Rather than setting it aside, the Philippine defence chief stopped his remarks, identified the message as apparently coming from China and read it aloud to the audience.

The episode quickly turned into a public criticism of Beijing’s conduct at the international forum.

Chinese note handed to Teodoro during speech

According to South Korean organisers and Yonhap News Agency, the document was linked to a Chinese military attaché based at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.

The attaché reportedly gave the note to an event staff member and asked that it be passed to Teodoro. The staff member, apparently believing it had come from the Philippine delegation, handed it to the secretary while he was delivering his speech.

Teodoro then paused and examined the paper.


“I have a note here, I think this is from China. And may I read it?” he told the gathering before reading the contents.

The message reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position on the South China Sea dispute. It said China’s position on the arbitration case was “clear, consistent and firm” and maintained that the 2016 tribunal decision violated fundamental principles of international law.

What was the 2016 South China Sea ruling?

The note referred to the arbitration case brought by the Philippines against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.

In its 2016 ruling, the international tribunal rejected key elements of Beijing’s expansive historic-rights claims in the South China Sea. It also concluded that China had no legal basis for claiming historic rights to resources within areas covered by the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

China has repeatedly rejected the ruling. Beijing has argued that the tribunal did not have jurisdiction over the issues involved and has continued to maintain its position on the disputed waters.

The arbitration decision remains a central part of Manila’s legal and diplomatic position in its dealings with Beijing.

Teodoro questions timing of Chinese message

After reading the document, Teodoro shifted his attention from its contents to the manner in which it had been delivered.

He questioned why China would choose to send such a message while he was speaking at an international gathering hosted by South Korea.

“How can you deal with a country in an international forum, beyond the question asked to me, disrespecting the organisers of this forum,” he said.

Teodoro argued that the episode went beyond a disagreement over the South China Sea. In his view, the manner in which the message was delivered showed a lack of respect for the host country, the delegates and the forum itself.

He also linked Beijing’s position on the arbitration ruling to the broader importance of international maritime law.

‘Basic decency’ needed, Teodoro says

The Philippine defence secretary became increasingly critical as he responded to the incident.

“If this is a Chinese position sent to me, it not only disrespects international law, throwing UNCLOS to the floor and trampling upon it,” Teodoro said, arguing that it also showed disrespect to South Korea and those attending the event.

He described what he regarded as China’s approach as “coercion, bullying and aggression” and said Beijing should instead demonstrate “basic decency and behaviour”.

Teodoro held up the document and said he would retain it as a reminder of what he characterised as China’s desperation and the weakness of its position before an open international audience.

He also made a pointed remark to the person involved in delivering the document, saying the individual had “done your country a great service” before adding that he hoped the person would not face severe punishment for doing so.

Philippines and China remain locked in South China Sea dispute

The confrontation comes against the backdrop of continuing tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea.

The Philippines has repeatedly raised concerns over Chinese activities in waters that Manila considers part of its territory or exclusive economic zone. China, meanwhile, maintains its own claims over large areas of the contested waterway.

For the Philippines, the 2016 arbitration award remains a key legal reference in challenging China’s maritime claims. Beijing continues to reject the verdict.

Speaking at the Seoul forum, Teodoro said the Philippines faces challenges from China on a daily basis and argued that the situation has pushed Manila towards stronger security relationships with other countries.

He also warned against any attempt by one country to claim an international maritime area for its exclusive use.

“We live in a very interconnected world,” Teodoro said, stressing that no state should be entitled to appropriate an international common in a manner contrary to established international norms.

The incident in Seoul therefore became more than an awkward interruption to a speech. For Manila, it offered another opportunity to put its long-running dispute with Beijing before an international audience. For Beijing, its note was another expression of its refusal to accept the 2016 arbitration ruling.

The exchange underscored how deeply the South China Sea dispute continues to shape relations between the two countries, even at international forums intended primarily for dialogue on defence and security.