China's foreign ministry has clarified that a viral video circulating online is not an official government act, while reaffirming its longstanding rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated during a press briefing that the video in question is unrelated to state actions, emphasizing that China's stance on the maritime dispute remains unchanged.

The Philippines, through its Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has condemned the video posted by China Daily, describing it as racist and offensive.The DFA has demanded the removal of the AI-generated content, which depicted Filipinos as monkeys and criticized the 2016 ruling.

China has consistently dismissed the tribunal's decision as a 'political farce masquerading as a legal process,' asserting that the ruling is illegal and void.

The Philippines has repeatedly relied on the 2016 ruling to assert its maritime rights in the contested waters, leading to heightened diplomatic tensions.

The incident highlights the ongoing geopolitical rivalry between China and the Philippines over territorial claims in the South China Sea, with both nations leveraging international law and public diplomacy to bolster their positions.