Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
The Philippine envoy to China was summoned by the Chinese government to explain why President Marcos congratulated Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te on his victory.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 16, that Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz was summoned by China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong after Beijing got “strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposes” Marcos’ message of congratulations to Lai.
In a post on X, China’s Foreign Ministry called out Marcos’ message as it said it was “a grave violation of the one-China principle and the communiqué on the establishment of China-Philippine diplomatic relations.”
It also said it was “a breach of the Philippines’ political commitment to China.”
Beijing’s move came after the President congratulated in a post on X the upcoming Taiwanese leader, adding that he looks “forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.”
DFA said that Marcos’ message was only his way to thank the self-governing island for hosting Filipino workers there.
“The message of President Marcos congratulating the new president was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs and holding a successful democratic process,” the agency said in a statement.
There are around 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan, one of the interests shared by both countries, DFA said.
On Monday night, China already warned those that are issuing statements and expressing congratulations to Lai, who has expressed objections to Taiwan’s reunification with China.
Mao Ning, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said those doing so violate the one-China principle, which Beijing “deplores and strongly opposes.”
She warned those countries could “face the joint opposition of the Chinese people and the international community.”
On Tuesday morning, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) repeated for the second time in a week the Philippines’ adherence to the One-China Policy, which acknowledges that “all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China.” — Joseph Pedrajas
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
