Marcos says he greeted Taiwan president-elect out of courtesy

Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te, of Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) gestures as he attends a rally following the victory in the presidential elections, in Taipei, Taiwan January 13, 2024. (REUTERS/File Photo)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he greeted greetings Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te  out of common courtesy, adding that the Philippines continues to recognize the One-China policy. 

Marcos drew the ire of China after he congratulated Lai in an X post.

The Taiwanese leader has been dubbed by China as a threat to peace. 

“Ako very simple lang ang ano ko jan, noong presidente ako, binati ako. So what do you do? It’s just common courtesy that you do the same to them. That’s really where it came from,” said Marcos in an exclusive interview  with 24 Oras. 

(For me, it is very simple, when I became president, I was greeted. So what do you do? It’s just common courtesy that you do the same to them. That’s really where it came from.) 

“We have adhered to the One China policy strictly and conscientiously since we adopted the One China policy. That has not changed, that will not change. We do not endorse Taiwan’s independence,” Marcos said.

Marcos said that any conflict between China and Taiwan is an internal one, and one they must resolve by themselves. 

“Ang habol lang natin dito ay kapayapaan na huwag magkagulo,” said Marcos. 

(What we are after here is peace, and there should be no conflict.)