New Delhi: Days after China warned the Philippines not to “play with fire” — a reaction triggered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulating Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te — Philippines Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has now accused Beijing of insulting Marcos and the nation by stooping to “low and gutter-level talk”.
Calling Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning’s statements unsurprising and “on brand”, Teodoro in a statement issued Thursday accused her of “spouting state-sanctioned propaganda and disinformation”.
In a press briefing Tuesday, Ning had said that the “Philippines should refrain from playing with fire on the Taiwan question, earnestly abide by the One-China principle…immediately stop the wrong words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues and stop sending any wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces”.
“We suggest President Marcos read more to develop a proper understanding of the ins and outs of the Taiwan question and come to a right conclusion,” she added.
Beijing considers Lai’s Democratic Progressive party, which won an unprecedented third term in the Taiwanese presidential election held earlier this month, as “separatists” owing to its firm stance on Taiwanese independence.
On Monday, Philippines President Marcos Jr. congratulated President-elect Lai on his election victory, stating on X that Manila looks forward to “close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead”.
On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan's next President.
We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) January 15, 2024
The Philippines’ Foreign Ministry later said the President’s remarks were a way of recognising the Philippines and Taiwan’s “mutual interests”, including the 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on the island.
“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. Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its One China Policy,” it said in a statement issued Wednesday.
While the Philippines officially recognises the People’s Republic of China as the sole Chinese government, Beijing had summoned Manila’s ambassador Tuesday after which spokesperson Ning demanded Manila give “a responsible explanation” for “gravely” violating the ‘One China’ principle.
This row marked the latest flare-up between Beijing and Manila, who have been locked in a tense standoff over the past year, over China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea as well as the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. During a clash between Filipino and Chinese vessels in disputed waters last month, a boat with the Filipino military chief on board was rammed by the Chinese coast guard.
Meanwhile, Manila and Beijing concluded the eighth meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Shanghai, Wednesday, co-chaired by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong and Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro. The two countries agreed to improve maritime communications to better manage conflicts and differences surrounding the South China Sea.
“Both sides reiterated that disputes in the South China Sea are not the entirety of bilateral relations and believe that maintaining communication and dialogue is crucial to maintaining maritime peace and stability,” read a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry after the meeting.
Though the Philippines is a major non-NATO ally, it renewed its 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington in May, which mandates that both nations will support each other in case of attack from external parties.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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