China 'appreciates' Marcos' reiteration of One-China Policy adherence
China said it appreciated President Marcos' reiteration of the Philippines adherence to the One China Principle after he clarified that his congratulatory remark to Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te was only done because of common courtesy.
Wang Wenbin, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, made the pronouncement as he noted Marcos' emphasis that Taiwan is a province of China and the Philippines does not endorse the "Taiwan independence."
"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Realizing the complete reunification in China is where global opinion trends and the arc of history bends," Wang said.
"Any attempt to seek 'Taiwan independence' is doomed to failure," he added.
In an interview with GMA News on Tuesday, Marcos said he congratulated Lai on his victory because it was a "common courtesy" that he would make the same congratulatory remark to others—like what others did to him when he won the Philippine elections.
His message first angered China that it had to summon Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz to explain his action.
Another Chinese foreign minister spokesperson, Mao Ning, even told Marcos to "read more" to develop an understanding on the Taiwan issue.
"That's really where it came from. The One China Policy remains in place. We have adhered to the One China Policy strictly ang conscientiously since we adopted it and that has not changed," Marcos explained.
"Taiwan is a province of China but the manner in which they will be brought together again is an internal matter. We are only after peace, that there will be no conflict," he added.