Philippines Slams China Daily's 'Racist' AI Video, Deepening Diplomatic Rift
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The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has formally filed a strong diplomatic protest against China Daily over an AI-generated video that portrays Filipino as monkeys, calling the content racist, dehumanizing, and utterly unacceptable. This contentious video, published on China Daily Facebook page on July 10, 2026, also mocks the Philippines' 2016 South China Sea arbitral victory, further escalating an already tense relationship between the two nations. The video's release deliberately coincided with the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China's extensive claims in the South China Sea. This incident comes amid increasing international support for Manila's position, with 14 countries, including the United States and Japan, recently reaffirming the ruling as legally binding. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also condemned the material as 'contemptible propaganda,' highlighting a broader pattern of China using AI for disinformation campaigns. Manila is demanding the immediate removal of the offensive video and urged Beijing to ensure dignity and truth in public discourse. This incident risks deepening distrust and further straining bilateral ties, pushing regional diplomacy into a more challenging space. Observers are now watching for any official response from China or China Daily and how this latest development will influence ongoing South China Sea negotiations.