Metro Manila, Philippines – China has filed a formal diplomatic protest against the Philippines following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent remarks that the country would be inevitably drawn into a conflict over Taiwan if tensions with China escalate into war.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in a strongly worded statement, accused Marcos of “interfering in China’s internal affairs” and violating the One China principle, a core policy that recognizes Taiwan as part of Chinese territory.
“The Philippines is now going back on its words in disregard of the grave consequences,” the ministry said, claiming that the Marcos administration is “fudging and hollowing out” its prior commitments to the One China policy.
“Geographic proximity and the presence of Filipinos in Taiwan should not be used as pretexts to interfere in the internal and sovereign affairs of other countries,” it said.
Beijing warned that the remarks “harm regional peace and stability” and urged Manila to “refrain from playing with fire on issues bearing on China’s core interests.”
Marcos: PH can’t stay neutral if war breaks out
In an interview with Indian news outlet Firstpost, Marcos had said that the country’s location, and the large Filipino population in Taiwan make it impossible to remain uninvolved in a cross-strait conflict.
“To be very practical about it, if there is a confrontation over Taiwan between China and the United States, there is no way that the Philippines can stay out of it simply because of our physical geographic location,” Marcos said.
“The city of Kaohsiung in Taiwan is a 40-minute flight from my home province in northern Philippines. That’s how close it is. So, if there is an all-out war, we will be drawn into it — I assure you, with the greatest hesitation,” he added.
He said the top priority would be the safety of the over 160,000 Filipinos living and working in Taiwan, many of whom are employed in manufacturing, care work, and electronics.
“We will have to go in there, find a way to bring our people home… And that’s not an easy thing to do, especially in the middle of a combat zone. It would not be a small problem by any means,” Marcos said.
The controversy comes amid signs of warming ties between the Philippines and Taiwan. Earlier this year, Manila eased visa restrictions for government officials and diplomats visiting Taiwan for economic purposes – a move seen as a subtle challenge to Beijing’s sensitivities.
