Chinese envoy to PH: Handle Taiwan issue prudently

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian   (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines has urged the Philippine government to handle issues involving Taiwan prudently, adding that it must respect China’s internal affairs.

During a year-end party for the media on Wednesday, Huang spoke about China’s issue with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move to congratulate Lai Ching-te — Taiwan’s newly-elected president.

Huang reminded the Philippine government that diplomatic ties between Manila and Beijing were built on the understanding of having a one-China policy — or the recognition that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the only China in existence.

“What I want to emphasize is that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affairs and lies at the core of China’s core interests with an extremely high sensitivity,” Huang said.

“So we hope that the Philippine side will stay committed to the one-China policy pursued by successive Philippine administrations since the establishments of diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, and respect China’s internal affairs, and handle the Taiwan question prudently so as to maintain the healthy and stable development of China-Philippine relations,” he added.

The bilateral relations between Philippines and China, Huang said, must be fortified instead of being shaken.

“So the one-China policy is the political premise of which China established and developed diplomatic relations with the Philippines.  So we should strengthen instead of shake(ing) such (a) foundation,” he noted.

Despite having a one-China policy, President Marcos over Twitter extended his greetings to Lai, who won Taiwan’s presidential elections last Saturday. 

According to Marcos, he is looking forward to a “close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity” for the people of the Philippines and Taiwan.