China should recall its ambassador for ‘disgraceful statements’ – Hontiveros

Sen. Risa Hontiveros (Senate PRIB file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Sunday urged the recall of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian “as soon as possible,” following his “disgraceful statements” at the 8th Manila Forum.

Huang had “advised” the Philippines to “unequivocally” oppose “Taiwan independence” if it “cares genuinely” about the overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan.

Huang said this after stating that China would not renounce the use of force, accusing the Philippines of “stoking the fire” through its new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites with the US.

“These are truly disgraceful statements from Ambassador Huang Xilian. How dare he threaten us. Our OFWs in Taiwan will continue to work where they work. End of story. Filipinos will thrive and make a living according to our wishes. We will never let Beijing decide on the future of Filipino families. Their destiny is not in China’s hands,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“The Palace should tell Beijing to recall their representative in Manila as soon as possible. He has no business being a diplomat if he is unable to engage with us in a respectful and dignified manner,” she added.

According to Hontiveros, the Philippines “will never interfere” with the issue of Taiwanese independence.

“That is exclusively for the people of Taiwan to tackle. We, in the Philippines, respect the right of the Taiwanese people to self-determination, and this right must be upheld by all other nations that share this planet, even including the autocratic regime of China,” she said.

She then said that China shouldn’t be dragging the Philippines with its issues with the US, adding that it is China who has been stoking tensions in the South China Sea.

“It is China who continues to bully, harass, and intimidate other smaller nations in the region. It is China who is making all this mess,” said Hontiveros.

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