The Philippine government remains committed to upholding the One-China Principle amid growing international concern due to the escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles on Thursday affirmed.
“We have not changed our policy,” Angeles said in a text message to the media.
The controversy between the two nations stemmed from the recent visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, a self-ruled island.
China on Thursday began its largest-ever military drills around Taiwan, firing ballistic missiles and deploying fighter jets and warships in a show of force following Pelosi’s visit.
In a press briefing a day earlier, Angeles assured the public that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are “closely monitoring” Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which the Chinese government branded as a “breakaway province.”
She, however, refused to further comment on the matter, saying that any statements coming from Malacañang Palace would affect Philippine international relations.
“On matters of international relations, reactions are studied. We don’t make knee-jerk reactions because they could adversely affect international relations,” she stressed.
She further said, “loose words” that might affect international relations were “very difficult to rebuild.”
The DFA, likewise, reiterated that the “Philippines adheres to the One-China Policy” through a statement released on Thursday.
“The Philippines is concerned with the rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, just north of the Philippines,” the DFA stated.
“The Philippines urges restraint by all parties concerned. Diplomacy and dialogue must prevail.”
The said principle is a diplomatic acknowledgment that nations recognize that there is only one Chinese government and that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory.
China has established relations with 181 countries, including the US, that recognize the One-China principle.
Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday, 2 August. Her visit was the first official trip to Taiwan by a House Speaker in 25 years.