- Beijing says ‘no gray area’ after Philippines reiterates Taiwan ‘integral part of Chinese territory’

By Faisal Mahmud

ISLAMABAD (AA) - China said Thursday there was “no gray area” on the Taiwan question after the Philippines reaffirmed its One China Policy while criticizing recent social media statements by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

“There’s no gray area on the Taiwan question,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular news briefing in Beijing.

“The Philippines should uphold the one-China principle with concrete action, and external exchanges by China’s Taiwan region should be handled in strict accordance with the one-China principle,” Mao said.

Her remarks came as the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a statement Thursday reaffirming Manila’s adherence to the One China Policy, anchored in the 1975 Philippines-China Joint Communique.

The DFA said “we fully understand and respect the position of the Chinese Government that there is but one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.”

“Throughout the years, the Philippines’ relevant regulations reflect the country’s unwavering implementation of its One China Policy,” the statement said.

However, Manila also criticized recent social media statements by the Chinese Embassy, describing their tone and language as “escalatory and undiplomatic.”

Such statements “erode mutual trust and confidence” and undermine efforts to improve bilateral relations, the DFA said.

It reminded foreign diplomats to exercise restraint and responsibility in public statements, particularly on social media.

The department said the embassy’s statements did not reflect the longstanding spirit of constructive engagement between the two countries.

Manila also warned that it “reserves the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary.”

China considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Taipei has maintained its own government since 1949.