Marcos on China-Taiwan tensions: Conflicts can be resolved peacefully

While asserting the country’s adherence to the One China Policy, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has distanced himself from the growing tensions between Beijing and Taiwan, saying the Philippines does not want to be involved in any conflict.

In an interview with Japanese media on Monday, Marcos expressed concern about how the tensions could possibly affect the Philippines and the Filipinos situated in Taiwan.

“I think in Japan’s case, it's more a matter of choice to be involved,” the President said.

“In the Philippines, we do not have a choice because Taiwan is so close to the Philippines, and we have almost 200,000 Filipino nationals living and working in Taiwan,” he added.

Marcos emphasized that the Philippines has always upheld the One China Policy, which recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the only Chinese sovereign state.

However, he said any confrontation should be avoided and conflicts should be settled by peaceful means.

Based on the map, the Marcos said the northern Philippines, at the very least, may be part of or feel the effects of the tensions should they further escalate.

“We have many other considerations, but we end up in the same position that we want to avoid any confrontation. We want to avoid any hostilities around...Taiwan simply because we do not want to be involved in any war, we do not want to be involved in any conflict,” Marcos said.

“Conflicts be resolved peacefully. And again, it all revolves in peace. And that is, I think, what everyone's ultimate goal is in Japan, the Philippines, and all the countries around the region,” he added.

Marcos also said the Philippines has raised the level of engagement with China, where both countries’ foreign ministers have agreed to regularly meet.

He said the foreign ministers are set to hold their first meeting in the next few weeks.

“Because no country can fix this problem or put this problem to rest by itself. It really has to be the cooperation of all the stakeholders of all the countries that are in the region,” he stressed.

The Philippines and China have a joint communique, signed in June 1975, stating that “the two Governments agree to settle all disputes by peaceful means…without resorting to the use or threat of force.”

Manila does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a democratic self-ruling island which has been separated from the Chinese mainland since 1949.

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