Philippines raises concerns over Taiwan during Chinese official’s visit

Introduction:

• The Philippines’ Foreign Secretary, Enrique Manalo, met with China’s Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, to express his concern over the escalating tensions in waters around Taiwan. The two countries have been working to deepen their economic ties while managing their dispute in the South China Sea. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement that Mr. Manalo reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy.

Philippines’ concern over the Taiwan Strait:

• Manalo expressed his concerns over the increasing tensions across the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. He highlighted that any conflict in the Taiwan Strait could have significant implications on regional peace and stability. The Philippines, as a responsible member of the international community, has been urging all parties to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law, and resolve disputes peacefully.

China’s stance on Taiwan:

• China claims Taiwan as its territory and has been continuously vowing to bring the island under its control one day, even by force if necessary. Mr. Qin described China and the Philippines as “close neighbors across the sea” and emphasized the significance of a healthy and stable China-Philippines relationship amid the fluid and turbulent regional situation. He further warned that recent rhetoric accusing China of disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait could have dangerous consequences and goes against basic common sense on international relations and historical justice.

Conclusion:

• The Philippines expressed its concern over the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait to China while reaffirming its adherence to the One China Policy. The Philippines, as a responsible member of the international community, urged all parties to exercise restraint and resolve disputes peacefully. Meanwhile, China emphasized the importance of a healthy and stable relationship between the two countries and warned against the dangerous consequences of accusing China of disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The two countries have been working to deepen their economic ties while managing their dispute in the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines are locked in a bitter maritime dispute.