China's foreign ministry has threatened that the Philippine government will "pay the price for their own wrongdoings" after a war of words between the Philippine Coast Guard's spokesman and the Chinese embassy in Manila, reported Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

The dispute highlights the ongoing confrontation in the South China Sea, where China's territorial claims overlap with the Philippine exclusive economic zone. Though the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated Beijing's nine-dash-line claim in 2016, China continues to assert an EEZ extending about 500 nautical miles from its mainland.

China has steadily expanded its presence in the region, seizing Scarborough Shoal in 2012, building fortified islands in the Spratlys from 2013 to 2016, and blockading the Philippine outpost at Second Thomas Shoal in 2023-24. Its coast guard also runs campaigns against Philippine fishermen near Scarborough and Sabina Shoals.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesman, has described Chinese actions as "barbaric, illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive." His criticism drew a rare personal response from Guo Wei, deputy spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, leading to a heated exchange of accusations on social media.

Philippine Congresswoman Manay Leila defended Tarriela, accusing the Chinese embassy of spreading inaccurate claims and suggesting it resembled a "Chinese troll farm." The remarks further inflamed tensions between the two sides.

China's foreign ministry later escalated the matter, condemning Ms Tarriela's remarks and a slide he presented that labelled China a bully. Spokesman Guo Jiakun warned that the Philippines must stop provocation or face consequences, signalling Beijing's intent to continue pressing its claims in the disputed waters.