China justifies remark vs Marcos

China has said it will not accept any provocation on the Taiwan question as it justified its recent remark, described as “low talk” by the Philippines’ defense chief, against President Marcos.

Mao Ning, spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry, said Marcos’ congratulatory remark to Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te violated the one-China principle and the joint communiqué of establishing diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China and interfered in China’s internal affairs.

The Taiwan question is also at the core of China’s core interests and bears on the sentiment of the 1.4 billion Chinese people, Mao added.

So, Mao said, China’s response to Marcos, particularly when it urged the latter to “read more” to develop proper understanding about Taiwan, “is completely legitimate and necessary” in a bid to state its “solemn position.”

“The one-China principle is a red line as well as the bottom line,” she said.

“China will never accept anyone making provocations on the Taiwan question and will resolutely fight back,” she added.

On Wednesday, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called out China after Mao supposedly insulted the President.

Teodoro found it “unfortunate” Mao “stooped to such low and gutter level talk” to insult Marcos.

“It is unfortunate that the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson stooped to such low and gutter level talk – resorting to insulting our President and the Filipino nation, and further debasing herself, the Ministry, and Party she represents in the process,” Teodoro said in a statement. — Joseph Pedrajas