Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Taiwan’s pro-democracy leader Lai Ching-te after winning the presidential election on Saturday, a move that drew a strong rebuke from China.
Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s current vice president from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has been advocating sovereignty and resistance against intimidation, threats, and military pressure from China.On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan’s next President,” Marcos said Monday.We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead,” he added.In a post, Lai thanked Marcos for his congratulatory message.I deeply value the enduring friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines. I look forward to enhancing our economic and people-to-people ties while championing democracy, peace, and prosperity in the region,” he said.Prior to the president’s remarks, the Department of Foreign Affairs on Sunday reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to the One China policy, which states that Taiwan is a part of China and recognizes Beijing as the Chinese government.The Department of Foreign Affairs reaffirms the principles contained in the Joint Communique of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People’s Republic of China signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos and Premier Zhou Enlai on 9 June 1975,” the DFA said.The Philippines is committed to its One China policy,” it added.The exchange between Marcos and Lai came amid tensions between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.
Despite the DFA’s statement reaffirming the nation’s commitment to the One China policy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said they have summoned Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz on Tuesday for an explanation following Marcos’ congratulatory message.
The Chinese official said during a briefing that Marcos seriously violated the One China policy.She urged the Philippine government to “immediately stop erroneous words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues, and stop sending any wrong signals to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.”“We suggest that President Marcos read more books to correctly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue so as to draw correct conclusions,” the spokesperson added.In the same press conference, Mao Ning urged other countries to uphold the One China policy and reminded them not to meddle with the China-Taiwan conflict.The elections of the Taiwan region are China’s internal affairs,” she said. “Regardless of the result, the basic fact that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China will not be changed.
‘Full-blown’ conflict unlikely
Before the presidential election, China had warned Taiwan’s voters to “make the right choice” and “recognize the extreme danger of Lai’s triggering of cross-strait confrontation and conflict.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Final Word on Monday, Taiwan political science professor Lev Nachman said this was the first time that the DPP won a third election in a row, showing Taiwan’s voters faith in the party.
But even though the DPP stays in power for another four years, Nachman said the possibility of China invading Taiwan is still remote.
It doesn’t mean there’s going to be a war,” he said, citing that Taiwan didn’t go to war with China for the last eight years while the DPP was in power.International Crisis Group Senior Analyst Amanda Hsiao also said earlier that China’s pressure on Taiwan has grown through military activities, coercion, and disinformation.
