China has announced sanctions on former Philippine Senate leader Francis Tolentino, a key ally of the Southeast Asian country’s President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr on South China Sea issues.

Beijing accused Tolentino of “egregious conduct on China-related issues” and will bar the former Philippine lawmaker – whose term ended yesterday – from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

“For some time now, individual anti-China politicians in the Philippines have adopted a series of malicious words and deeds on China-related issues for their own selfish interests, undermining China’s interests and damaging China-Philippines relations,” it said, in a statement released on Tuesday.

“The Chinese government’s determination to defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests is unwavering,” it added.

More to follow...