The Philippines remains committed to honoring the “One China Policy” that was signed in 1975 between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China – but that does not mean that the Philippines will let itself be “lectured” on handling international affairs.
Amid China’s outrage over President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s move to congratulate newly-elected Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a statement “reaffirmed” its commitment to the Joint Communique that was signed between Marcos’ father, then President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., and the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.
The statement was released following China's statement urging the Philippines to “stop playing with fire” over the Taiwan issue, with the Philippine Ambassador to China being summoned by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give an explanation.
Earlier, Marcos, Jr. had posted a congratulatory message on X (formerly Twitter) to Lai, who had gained victory in the January 13 polls that international watchers say was also a verdict on where the Taiwanese people stand on the “reunification” issue.
Lai belonged to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which the Communist-led People’s Republic of China has accused of “blocking” efforts to reunite the two Chinas due to its opposition to the One China Policy and its efforts to re-arm Taiwan against a perceived invasion from mainland China.
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