The Philippines, through the Department of National Defense (DND), on Saturday said it takes exceptions to claims that it is meddling in the internal affairs of China concerning Taiwan.
The statement comes following the remarks of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on Friday, saying that the US intends to take advantage of the new sites under Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to interfere in the Taiwan Strait situation.
Huang added that Beijing “reserves the option of taking all necessary measures” over the Taiwan Strait as it advised Manila to oppose “Taiwan independence” if it genuinely cares about the 150,000 Filipinos working there.
“The DND takes exception to the statement of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian that the Philippines is meddling in the internal affairs of China concerning Taiwan,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.
He also corrected claims that the situation in Taiwan is similar to that of Mindanao.
“We wish to emphasize that the issues are different from each other. The whole context and rich experience of our peace process in Mindanao, which allowed the participation of the international community (Malaysia, European Union, Turkey, Japan, Brunei, Australia, Sweden, Norway, UK, Germany, United Nations organizations, Japan International Cooperation Agency and other international organizations), is aligned with the Philippines’ position of resolving disputes peacefully,” he said.
He stressed that Manila continues to observe the One China Policy and maintains the non-interference in regional issues principle by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
CURRENTPH NEWS SERVICE
