THE Chinese Embassy in Manila confirmed on Tuesday that the Philippine envoy to China was summoned by the Chinese government to explain why President Marcos congratulated Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te on his victory.
Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz was summoned by China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong after Beijing got “strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposes” Marcos’ message of congratulations to Lai.
In a post on X, China’s Foreign Ministry called out Marcos’ message as it said it was “a grave violation of the one-China principle and it also said it was “a breach of the Philippines’ political commitment to China.”
“This morning, Assistant Minister Nong Rong summoned the ambassador of the Philippines to China to make solemn representations and urge the Philippine side to give the Chinese side a responsible explanation,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.
In a Monday social media post, Marcos congratulated Lai on his election and said he looked forward to “close collaboration” with him.
The remarks “are a serious violation of the One China Principle… a serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side, and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs”, Mao said.
“We are telling the Philippine side not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue… and to stop immediately its wrongful words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues and sending wrong signals to separatist forces for Taiwan independence,” she added.
“We advise President Marcos to read more to properly understand the history of the Taiwan issue so that he can draw the right conclusions.”
Beijing’s move came after the President congratulated in a post on X the upcoming Taiwanese leader, adding that he looks “forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.”
DFA said that Marcos’ message was only his way to thank the self-governing island for hosting Filipino workers there.
“The message of President Marcos congratulating the new president was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs and holding a successful democratic process,” the agency said in a statement.
