China on Thursday urged the Philippines to stick to its One China policy and stop its “wrong words and deeds” about Taiwan, after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. criticized Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson for “gutter-level talk” in reprimanding President Marcos for congratulating Taiwan’s newly elected leader.
“China will never accept anyone making provocations on the Taiwan question and we will fight back,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on Thursday.
China views democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.
President Marcos had congratulated the democratically governed island’s presidential election winner, Lai Ching-te, on X (formerly Twitter), but Beijing later told him to “read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue.”
This drew an angry reply from Teodoro, who said in a statement that Mao Ning “stooped to such low and gutter level talk—resorting to insulting our President and the Filipino nation, and further debasing herself, the Ministry, and Party she represents in the process.”
“But then again, we should not at all be surprised—being a nation and people enjoying the privileges, rights, and freedoms of a democratic society—that an agent of a Party and system of government incompatible with our way of life and who routinely spouts State-sanctioned propaganda and disinformation would go that far and that low,” the Defense chief said.
“It is unfortunate, but I am, myself, unsurprised. The spokesperson’s statements were ‘on brand.’ We, and the world, should not expect more,” he added on Wednesday.
In Manila, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian expressed the importance of the two countries’ finding middle ground or reaching a compromise on territorial disputes, amid the ongoing harassment by Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels against Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea.
“We hope that the Philippines will meet China halfway, effectively address maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation, and jointly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, as well as the positive development of bilateral relations,” Huang said.
The envoy made these statements during a press briefing with local and foreign media, a day after the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s remarks toward President Marcos.
“The relevant remarks of President Marcos constitute a serious violation of the One China principle and … a serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side, and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs,” spokesperson Mao Ning said.
“We suggest that President Marcos read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue, so as to draw the right conclusions,” Mao added.
Huang did not repeat the foreign ministry’s remarks but underscored that China considers its internal affairs, including the Taiwan issue, as highly sensitive matters for their government.
“Regarding the Taiwan question, it is essential to understand that China’s internal affairs represent the core interests of our country, with extremely high sensitivity,” Huang said.
The envoy also expressed China’s desire for the Philippines to maintain its commitment to the One China Policy, which has been supported by previous administrations in Manila since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“We hope that the Philippine side will continue to uphold the One China Policy followed by previous administrations since we established diplomatic ties, respect China’s internal affairs, and handle the Taiwan issue with caution,” he said.
Huang declined to comment on Teodoro’s strong condemnation and characterization of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement towards Marcos as “low and gutter level talk.”