Philippines reaffirms ‘one China’ policy after President Marcos congratulates Taiwan’s Lai

MANILA - The Philippine Foreign Ministry on Jan 16 reaffirmed the country’s “one China” policy after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr congratulated Taiwan’s new leader Lai Ching-te.

Mr Marcos on Jan 15 congratulated Mr Lai

for winning Taiwan’s election,

referring to him as its next president.

The message was Mr Marcos’ way of recognising the Philippines and Taiwan’s “mutual interests”, including the 200,000 overseas Filipino workers in the democratically governed island, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“The message of President Marcos congratulating the new president was his way of thanking them for hosting our workers and holding a successful democratic process. Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its ‘one China’ policy,” the statement said.

But China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, was unappeased. It summoned the Philippines’ ambassador to tell his government “not to play with fire”.

“President Marcos gravely violated the one China principle, went against political commitments to China, and interfered in China’s internal affairs,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a regular news conference on Jan 16.

Other leaders have also congratulated Mr Lai on his victory, with many including United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa calling for a peaceful resolution of tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

The Philippines, which has also expressed concerns over tensions in the Taiwan Strait, has ties with Taipei, with its Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan serving as a de facto embassy. REUTERS