Philippines Condemns Chinese Media for Monkey AI Video

The Philippines condemned China Daily for an AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, calling it “racist” and demanding its removal. The clip, posted on July 10, 2026, coincided with the 10th anniversary of a South China Sea arbitration ruling. Philippine defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro denounced the video as contemptible propaganda and a disgrace to any State that claims to exercise responsible regional leadership. He stated the content exposed the weakness of a government that resorts to racism, threats, and manufactured hatred because it has utterly failed to defend its ridiculous claims through reason, evidence, or law.

Chinese Embassy in Manila

The video, shared on China Daily’s Facebook page, depicted a monkey in a Filipino costume being directed by arms representing the U.S. and Japan. After being called “stupid,” the monkey pulled a sheet reading South China Sea arbitration award before being thrown into the sea and blasted by a water cannon. Philippine foreign ministry officials condemned the imagery, stating it has no place in the civil public discourse of a responsible state and that such content widens the distrust between the Philippines and China. The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

2016 Arbitral Ruling

Teodoro accused China of resorting to racism, threats, and manufactured hatred due to its inability to defend its claims through reason, evidence, or law. He criticized the video’s glorification of violence against the Filipino people and soldiers, linking it to broader tensions in the South China Sea. The clip’s release followed recent confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels, including the installation of a floating barrier at Scarborough Shoal, which was later removed after diplomatic protests. China Daily’s caption to its post reiterated Beijing’s position, stating the 2016 arbitration award remains no remedy for peace, but a source of confrontation dressed up as law.

The 2016 arbitral ruling, which rejected China’s “nine-dash line” claims, remains a flashpoint in Sino-Philippine relations. Beijing has consistently rejected the decision, framing it as illegitimate. The video’s release on July 10, 2026, underscored this divide, with China Daily’s caption asserting the arbitration award’s role in confrontation. Bloomberg.com highlighted that the clip aligns with a series of China Daily posts mocking Philippine actions in the South China Sea, including depictions of Manila as a “clown” and a “snake.”

For more on this story, see UN Condemns South China Sea ‘Award’ as Illegal – Global Fallout Looms.

Scarborough Shoal

Recent tensions have escalated over disputed waters, including the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China), located more than 100 miles (160km) from the Philippines and 500 miles from China. Philippine officials accuse Chinese vessels of aggressive maneuvers, while Beijing claims Manila provokes conflicts. In June 2026, China barred Teodoro, Manila’s defense secretary, and his immediate family from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, citing internal affairs. The video’s release comes amid ongoing diplomatic friction, with the Philippines urging Beijing to cease all actions that undermine regional stability.

The Philippine foreign ministry reiterated its demand for the video’s removal, stating disagreement over legal and political issues does not justify resorting to disturbing imagery.

The 10th anniversary of the 2016 ruling has seen heightened geopolitical stakes, with the incident highlighting enduring tensions. Philippine officials emphasized the need for accountability, with Teodoro declaring the recent spate of schizophrenic behaviour by the Chinese Communist Party as too clear to disregard. The video, part of a series of China Daily posts mocking the Philippines, underscores the use of state media to shape narratives in the South China Sea dispute. Philippine authorities continue to stress the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue, not dehumanizing propaganda.

China Daily’s portrayal of Filipinos as a timid monkey strong-armed by the US and Japan has drawn condemnation from Manila, which described the content as dehumanising and racist. The video’s depiction of the monkey being forced to sing the South China Sea arbitration award and its subsequent punishment by water cannons aligns with Beijing’s broader messaging against the 2016 ruling. Philippine officials reiterated that such imagery has no place in the civil public discourse of a responsible state, emphasizing the need for respectful engagement in regional diplomacy.

The incident coincides with preparations for a regional meeting in Manila, where Beijing’s top diplomat is set to participate. The Philippines’ strong rebuke highlights the sensitivity of historical rulings and the role of state media in shaping international perceptions. As the 10th anniversary of the arbitration ruling approaches, the video underscores the persistent challenges in resolving the South China Sea dispute through legal and diplomatic means. For now, the Philippines maintains its stance, with Teodoro declaring the Chinese Communist Party’s actions as a clear violation of responsible state conduct.