China Responds to Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Comments on Taiwan

Following comments made by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit to India regarding Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed strong opposition. The remarks came during an interview in which Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippines could not remain neutral in the event of a conflict between China and the United States over Taiwan, citing the country's geographic proximity and the significant number of Filipinos residing in Taiwan. He emphasized the potential for a humanitarian crisis should a war arise across the Taiwan Strait, indicating that the Philippines would need to mobilize resources to assist its citizens.

In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated that there is only one China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the country. The spokesperson emphasized that the Taiwan issue is an internal matter for China and asserted that the resolution lies within the country's jurisdiction, free from external interference. They also pointed out that the Philippine government had previously committed to the one-China policy and acknowledged Taiwan as part of China, suggesting that recent statements from Marcos Jr. contradict these past assurances.

The Chinese spokesperson condemned the Philippine leader's assertions as harmful to bilateral relations and warned against using geopolitical proximity or the welfare of Filipinos in Taiwan as a justification for interference. They argued that such claims violate international law and the ASEAN Charter, undermining regional stability while failing to serve the fundamental interests of the Filipino people. The Ministry urged the Philippines to adhere strictly to the one-China principle and to avoid actions that might exacerbate tensions concerning China's core interests.