The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday, August 28, that the Philippines continues to uphold the One China Policy and not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.
In her opening remarks at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro highlighted the 1975 Joint Communiqué of the Philippines and China from which diplomatic relations between both countries were founded.
“The change in recognition of the one sole and legal government of China from the Republic of China to the People’s Republic of China is the basis of our One China Policy,” she said.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs is the guardian and steward of the One China Policy,” Lazaro noted.
The foreign affairs secretary also emphasized that the One China Policy was reinforced through “separate but related issuances.”
“The Filipino people have long standing relations with the Taiwanese people, and we therefore benefit from continued engagement with them,” Lazaro said. “We leave it to the Chinese people to resolve Cross-Straits matters,” she added.
