The Philippine Coast Guard has condemned a video produced by China Daily, describing the content as racist and inflammatory.
The dispute centers on an artificial intelligence-generated clip that depicted a monkey, which Manila interpreted as a derogatory reference to Filipino personnel.
The condemnation marks a sharp escalation in rhetorical hostilities between the two nations, occurring against a backdrop of intensifying maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
The incident adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile security environment in the region.
China has recently announced plans to increase maritime police patrols in the waters east of Taiwan, a move that heightens tensions in one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.
Additionally, a mainland Chinese research vessel conducted an oceanographic survey in the Philippine Sea last month, prompting warnings from US military experts about potential preparations for submarine warfare.