CHINA STERNLY WARNS PH ‘NOT TO PLAY FIRE’ WITH TAIWAN

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Maintaining that Taiwan is a province of China, Beijing — through its foreign ministry — warned the Philippines should “not play with fire” about the Taiwan issue to avoid being manipulated and eventually hurt.

This was aired by Wang Wenbin, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesman when asked in a press conference to comment on the reported directive of Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro to military officials to deploy more troops in Batanes.

“I want to stress again that the Taiwan question is at the heart of China’s core interests and is a red line and bottom line that must not be crossed,” Wang said.

Teodoro earlier said that he wanted to mobilize more troops to the remote Batanes islands – less than 200 kilometers from Taiwan – to fortify Manila’s territorial defense capabilities.

Despite the reported harassment by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippines in January reiterated its adherence to its One-China policy.

Wang pointed out that China and the Philippines are neighbors across the sea.

“Friendly exchanges predominate in the history of our bilateral relations. A close neighbor can be more helpful than a distant relative,” he said.

(el Amigo/MNM)