Philippines defence chief condemns China's 'bullying' tactics at Seoul forum

Defence Secretary Teodoro was delivering remarks at the forum when a staff member handed him a note transmitted by China's defence attaché in the South Korean capital, relating to a landmark arbitration decision on the South China Sea.

The Philippine official subsequently characterised the move as an example of what he termed "bullying" behaviour, signalling Manila's frustration with Beijing's approach to disputed maritime claims in the region.

The incident highlights the persistent friction between the Philippines and China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal ruled largely in favour of the Philippines' position, invalidating China's expansive "nine-dash line" claim. Beijing has refused to recognise the ruling.

The exchange at the Seoul gathering reflects broader regional concerns about assertive Chinese conduct in disputed waters and diplomatic spaces. The Philippines, as a claimant state and key U.S. ally in Southeast Asia, has increasingly pushed back against Beijing's actions through public statements and diplomatic channels.

The note-passing episode demonstrates how tensions over South China Sea disputes continue to surface even in multilateral settings, with both sides using such platforms to assert their positions on the contested waterway.