Philippines maintains One-China policy amid rising tensions in Taiwan Strait

The Philippines on Thursday expressed its commitment to adhere to the One-China policy amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to Taipei this week.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines "is concerned with the rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, just north of the Philippines," as it called for continuing dialogue among concerned parties.

"The Philippines adheres to the One-China policy," the DFA said. "The Philippines urges restraint by all parties concerned. Diplomacy and dialogue must prevail."

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles added that the Philippines' position on the One-China principle has not changed. 

"Our answer is that we have not changed that," she told reporters. 

Manila's statement comes after Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian appealed to the Philippines to "strictly abide" by the One-China policy.

"The One-China principle is an international consensus and universally recognized basic norm governing international relations. It is also the political foundation of China-Philippines relations," Huang said in a statement on Tuesday.

"It is our hope that the Philippine side will strictly abide by the One-China principle and handle all Taiwan-related issues with prudence to ensure sound and steady development of China-Philippines relations."

In deference to the One-China policy, the Philippines does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a democratic self-ruling island that has been separated from the Chinese mainland since 1949 but is still claimed by China as part of its territory.

The Philippines, however, maintains a de facto embassy in Taiwan, called the Manila Economic and Cultural Office or MECO.

Taiwan hosts 115,000 Filipinos, mostly working in factories.

Military drills

A day after Pelosi left Taipei, Chinese forces launched "multiple" ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan, according to Taipei's defense ministry on Thursday.

The military drills were staged after Beijing expressed outrage over Pelosi's visit.

"I do hope that the situation will not worsen nor escalate into something more serious, as any confrontation between two major powers could be devastating for the world economy, which is still reeling from the impact of the pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine," Senate national defense committee chairman Jinggoy Estrada said as he expressed concern over the reported tension in the Taiwan Strait given the area's proximity to the Philippines.

"It is in our best interest to preserve and safeguard peace, and promote stability and security, with the help of our neighbors in Southeast Asia."

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said Philippine officials must exercise caution in their official pronouncements regarding the China-Taiwan-US issue.

"This is a very sensitive issue for all the parties involved. But the Philippine position should: Re-state our adherence to the One-China policy [and] call for the lessening of tension in this part of the world. Let us all avoid acts which provoke other nations," he said.

"We trust the people's republic recognizes our commitment to peace and prosperity in the region," Senate foreign relations committee chairperson Imee Marcos added. 

In a joint statement, ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Phnom Penh warned against "provocative action."

The situation "could lead to miscalculation, serious confrontation, open conflicts and unpredictable consequences among major powers," the ministers said. —with Anna Felicia Bajo and Hana Bordey/VBL, GMA News