‘UNFRIENDLY ACT’:
The Philippines’ foreign affairs department said the sanctions fall within China’s prerogative, although the move further complicates bilateral relations
Bloomberg
China imposed sanctions on Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, accusing him of making remarks that damaged bilateral ties and raising tensions in a relationship already strained by territorial disputes.The secretary and his immediate family are banned from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. Organizations and people in China are also prohibited from cooperating or transacting with Teodoro, his spouse and children.Teodoro is the most senior Philippine official known to have been sanctioned by Beijing. The move comes as the Philippines signals closer ties with Taiwan and begins maritime border talks with Japan.
Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, center, talks to reporters as he attends the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 29.
