By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that the Philippines has violated the “One China principle”, China has summoned the Philippine ambassador after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. congratulated Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te and remarked that he looked forward to having “close collaboration” with him.
China’s capital Beijing has long considered the democratically-run and pro-US Taiwan as its “renegade province” and intends to reclaim it, by force if necessary.
“We are telling the Philippine side not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue… and to stop immediately its wrongful words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues and sending wrong signals to separatist forces for Taiwan independence,” China foreign affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said.
She pointed out that PBBM’s remarks “are a serious violation of the One China Principle… a serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side, and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs.”
However, the Philippines has reaffirmed its “One China policy” even after Marcos Jr congratulated Taiwan’s Lai.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that this may provoke China to take more aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) since Beijing does not maintain diplomatic ties with countries that recognize Taiwan.
(el Amigo/MNM)
