Gilberto C. Teodoro, Defense Secretary for the Philippines, strongly criticized China while participating in the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea. The incident occurred on Tuesday when Teodoro was interrupted mid-speech by a man who placed a document from China on the table next to him.

Teodoro paused his address, noting, “I have a note here, I think this is from China,” before asking the audience if he could read the document aloud. The note detailed China’s stance on the South China Sea arbitration, stating, “China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration is clear, consistent and firm. They have no position. The arbitration violates fundamental principles of international law.”

The note likely referenced the legal challenge the Philippines initiated against China in 2016 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This arbitration, known as the South China Sea Arbitration, ruled against China’s activities in the Philippines’ territorial waters.

China has continuously rejected the ruling, and tensions have escalated between the two nations’ navies. Notably, on March 24, 2025, a standoff occurred when two Philippine Coast Guard vessels were reportedly surrounded by Chinese ships in the South China Sea.

During the dialogue, Teodoro posed a rhetorical question to the audience, challenging the appropriateness of China’s actions in an international forum.

“How can you deal with a country in an international forum…disrespecting the organizers of this forum…how do you expect to deal with it civilly?”

Teodoro criticized the behavior as disrespectful to both the Republic of Korea, the event’s hosts, and international law itself.

Further condemning China, he described their actions as “coercion, bullying and aggression.” He also expressed gratitude to the person who handed him the note, suggesting it highlighted China’s ineffective stance.

Teodoro concluded by acknowledging the ongoing challenges the Philippines faces from China’s efforts to assert control over its territory. He emphasized the country’s forced engagement in strategic defense alliances as a response to China’s actions, which defy international norms.