The Philippines has lodged a formal diplomatic protest with China, condemning a series of videos published by the state-backed China Daily newspaper that depicted Filipinos in a racist manner. The videos, which reportedly showed Filipinos as monkeys, were described by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs as going “beyond political debate” and resorting to “demeaning, dehumanizing, and racist depictions of Filipinos.”

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro formally raised the issue with China’s ambassador to the Philippines. The department’s embassy in Beijing also sent an open letter to China Daily, flagging the publication for a “breach of editorial norms and principles” and urging it to “uphold dignity, respect, and truth” in its public discourse.

China Daily, described as China’s most-read English-language newspaper, claims a significant audience, with over 470 million people and more than 110 million followers on Facebook, where the controversial videos were shared. The publication of these videos coincides with the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.

This diplomatic spat is rooted in the ongoing and contentious dispute over sovereignty in the South China Sea. An international tribunal had ruled in 2016 overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, finding that China’s extensive claims in the region lacked a legal basis under international law. Beijing has rejected this ruling and continues to assert its sovereignty over much of the South China Sea.

The disputed territory includes features such as the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, both claimed by both China and the Philippines. The region is also significant for its estimated 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Tensions in the South China Sea have remained high, frequently leading to confrontations between Chinese coastguard vessels and Philippine ships. These incidents have included collisions and the use of water cannon, which Manila asserts have endangered its personnel and fishermen.

The Philippines has garnered diplomatic support from allies including the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. These nations have consistently called for adherence to the 2016 arbitral ruling. In a recent joint statement, these countries reaffirmed their support for the tribunal’s findings, describing them as “legally binding” and “definitive,” and warned against unilateral actions in the region.

The use of racist imagery by state-affiliated media raises concerns about the escalating rhetoric in the territorial dispute, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the sovereignty claims.