MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) late Thursday, July 16, criticized a China state-run publication’s “demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist depictions of Filipinos” that “only serve to widen the distrust between the Philippines and China.”
“The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns China Daily’s publication of AI-generated videos and editorial cartoons concerning the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, including the video posted on its Facebook account on 10 July 2026. As a Chinese state-run media outlet, China Daily’s conduct goes beyond legitimate political debate and employs blatantly demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist depictions of Filipinos,” said the DFA.
It added: “The Philippines has consistently rejected false narratives and distortions regarding the Arbitral Award and the Philippines’ lawful positions in the South China Sea. But we draw a firm line at the depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in the 10 July 2026 video, which is deeply offensive, distressing, and unacceptable. Disagreement over legal and political issues does not justify resorting to disturbing imagery, which has no place in the civil public discourse of a responsible state.”
