Palace: Philippines 'closely monitoring' China's actions amid Pelosi's Taiwan visit

Malacañang said on Wednesday the Philippines was "closely monitoring" China's actions in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, a self-ruled island Beijing claims to be a part of its territory.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles told a news conference that the military and the Department of Foreign Affairs "are closely monitoring the situation as they would in any other similar circumstance."

"On matters of international relations, reactions are studied. We don't make knee-jerk reactions because they could adversely affect international relations," she said.

Pelosi landed in Taiwan on Tuesday, defying warnings and threats from China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province.

China said Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan was a “major provocation.” Pelosi is the highest-profile elected US official to visit the island in 25 years.

The Chinese military said it was on “high alert” and would launch a series of targeted military actions in response to Pelosi's presence on the island.

Cruz-Angeles also declined to comment on the appeal of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian for the Philippines to "strictly abide" by the One-China policy.

"There is no reaction. Usually, when it's a matter of international relations, we take time to study the matter and do not react immediately. Loose words might affect relationships and [they're] very difficult to rebuild," the Cabinet official said.

"So we will take our cue from the Department of Foreign Affairs if such a reaction is even warranted," she added.

The Philippines does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan in deference to the One-China policy. —VBL, GMA News