China warns RP on Taiwan VP’s visit

China warned the Philippines yesterday against allowing a visit by Taiwan’s Vice President Annette Lu, who could fly here from neighboring Indonesia where she is on a controversial trip.

However, Philippines Foreign Undersecretary Lauro Baja said that Manila had no information that Lu planned to visit the Philippines.

If she came to the Philippines in a private capacity, "we have no control" over her, he said, adding though that Manila was not prepared to receive Lu "in any (official) capacity".

Baja said the Chinese ambassador in Manila had met foreign department officials this week to "lobby against the visit" of Lu, who flew to Indonesia Wednesday amid complaints from Beijing.

The Chinese envoy warned Manila that Lu might pass through the Philippines on her way home, Baja added.

Chinese embassy representative Wang Luo confirmed such a warning had been made to Manila.

Wang said that "the Philippine government is committed to the ‘one China’ policy and we believe the Philippines will act according to its commitment."

The Philippines recognizes the "one China" policy which states that Taiwan is an integral part of China, and withholds any diplomatic recognition to the rival government in Taipei.

Lu made a stopover in Jakarta on Wednesday and then flew to Bali amid speculation that the Indonesian government had been pressured by China to prevent her from staying longer in the Indonesian capital.

Taiwanese spokesmen said her visit to Bali was merely for a vacation.

Beijing has accused Taipei of using unofficial visits to countries with which China has diplomatic relations to try to develop ties with them.

China has often protested to countries with which it has diplomatic ties for receiving high-level Taiwanese officials. — AFP, Marichu Villanueva