The Philippines has maintained regular diplomatic exchanges with China and will continue to do so despite ongoing issues, including the matter of Taiwan, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) affirmed on Wednesday.
“The Philippines and China maintain open lines of communication through regular diplomatic channels, and our exchanges are sustained and constant,” DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said.
“The two sides regularly exchange frank views over various issues, including on Taiwan, through these channels, and will continue to do so,” she added.
Tensions surrounding the Taiwan issue have added pressure to the Philippines-China relationship in recent weeks.
On April 15, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 82, easing long-standing travel restrictions for Philippine government officials to Taiwan. The measure aims to expand opportunities in priority investment areas.
In response, the Chinese Embassy in Manila issued a statement on Tuesday, urging the Philippines to adhere to the one-China policy and cease any form of official interaction with Taiwanese authorities.
The embassy warned against “sending wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.”
“Taiwan is a province of China and an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interest. The one-China principle is a prevailing consensus of the international community and the political bedrock of China-Philippines relations,” the embassy said.
“China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between its Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic ties with China… We call on relevant officials of the Philippines to refrain from making provocations on the Taiwan question. Those who play with fire will perish by it,” it added.