Philippines reaffirms adherence to "One China" policy amid dispute with Beijing over Taiwan representative office
Kuala Lumpur - 20 - 9 (KUNA) -- The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Manila's adherence to the "One China" policy on Sunday, amid a diplomatic controversy sparked by Taiwan's plan to open a second representative office in the Philippine city of Cebu and Beijing's warning to the Philippines against taking steps that could harm bilateral relations.
In a statement, the Philippine Foreign Ministry said Manila continues to uphold the One China policy in accordance with the joint communiqué signed with China in 1975, in which it recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China, emphasizing that this position remains firm, clear, and unchanged.
It added that this commitment "does not preclude the Philippines from establishing economic, cultural, and practical cooperation with Taiwan," noting that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently affirmed that the Philippines and Taiwan are "close neighbors with a long history of commercial exchanges."
The ministry confirmed that it will continue to rely on effective diplomacy, open communication, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law to serve national interests and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.
The statement came after Taiwan confirmed its readiness to open a representative office in Cebu, which would be its second in the Philippines, following the existing Taipei Economic and Cultural Office located in Makati City within Metro Manila.
Earlier, Gao Jiajun, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged the Philippines to adhere to the One China principle through practical actions and to refrain from measures that could damage relations between Beijing and Manila, in response to the plan to establish the office in Cebu.
It is worth noting that Philippine-Chinese relations have been marked by persistent tensions due to the two countries' disputes in the South China Sea and their overlapping maritime claims.
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