00:00The Philippines takes strong exception to a statement by the Chinese embassy that a
00:04simmering diplomatic spat could result in millions of jobs lost. There have been sharp exchanges
00:10recently between the Chinese embassy and Philippine officials over maritime confrontations in the
00:14West Philippine Sea. Some senators said China's ambassador should be recalled after the Chinese
00:19embassy warned last week that any serious damage to bilateral ties would, quote,
00:23cost millions of jobs. The Philippine Foreign Affairs Department says Monday, February 16,
00:29we take strong exception to the embassy's tone which appears to imply that such cooperation could
00:34be withheld as a form of leverage or retaliation. The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond
00:39to a request for comment. Tuesday, February 17 is a holiday in China and the Philippines
00:44for the Lunar New Year. The Philippines accuses China of aggressive actions inside its exclusive
00:49economic zone as China claims almost all of the South China Sea.
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