DFA affirms One China stance after Marcos remarks on Taiwan
MANILA, Philippines — After controversial comments from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about the Philippine stance on Taiwan, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the country still views the island as a province of China.
At a Senate hearing on Thursday, August 28, DFA Secretary Tess Lazaro said the country stands by the 1975 Joint Communique between China and the Philippines, which recognized the sole and legal government of Beijing as the People’s Republic of China.
“The Filipino people have longstanding relations with the Taiwanese people and we therefore benefit from continued engagement with them. But just to add a little bit more, we do not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state,” Lazaro said.
“We leave it to the Chinese people to resolve cross-strait matters,” she added.
The president raised eyebrows in an interview with Indian media when the issue of Taiwan was raised. Marcos said that there was no way the Philippines could stay out of a conflict between China and Taiwan due to its geographical proximity and the number of Filipino migrant workers on the island.
Lazaro said Marcos did not deviate from the country's One China stance.
No less than the president’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, raised an issue with his statements on Taiwan. Imee also questioned recent orders from her brother that seemed to soften the Philippines’ stance on the One China Rule, specifically Memorandum Circular No. 82.
The order eased travel restrictions for Philippine government officials to go into Taiwan, except for the president, vice president, the DFA secretary and defense officials.
Lazaro reiterated that the order still follows the One China Policy. These government officials may also only go to Taiwan for trade, investment, economic cooperation and tourism. These officials must also submit a report to the DFA.
However, Lazaro said Philippine government officials cannot undertake political activities. She added that the Philippines’ implementation of the One China Policy is stricter than that of the US, as high-ranking US officials are often seen visiting Taiwan.
Why follow the One China Policy?
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who ran under the presidential slate in the midterm elections, questioned why the Philippines must continue to respect China’s policies when Beijing clearly does not respect Manila’s territories.
“There is no more respect. While we respect what they want, while we don't want to interfere in their affairs between China and Taiwan, but, what about our position? Us neighbors, that they can just trample, they can just come into our territory and interfere with our affairs?” Tulfo said.
Tulfo said it may be time to rethink the One China Policy.
Lazaro said that the DFA still has mechanisms to use when it comes to territorial disputes with China.
“We have the bilateral consultative mechanism, the South China Sea. This is at the level of the foreign ministry and it may seem that it doesn't have that much impact,” Lazaro said.
She cited an incident on June 17, 2024, in Ayungin Shoal, where one Philippine boatsman had his fingers cut off.
Following the incident, the DFA and Chinese officials came up with a provisional agreement on the Rotation and Reprovisioning of Necessities, where vessels exchange information when they are in the area.
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