China on Friday accused the Philippines of “playing with fire” after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suggested his country would inevitably be drawn into any conflict between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan.
Marcos made the remarks during a state visit to India, citing the Philippines’ geographic proximity to Taiwan and the large Filipino community living there. “If there is an all-out war, then we will be drawn into it,” he told Indian media outlet Firstpost on Wednesday. “There are many, many Filipino nationals in Taiwan and that would be immediately a humanitarian problem. We will have to go in there, find a way to bring our people home.”
China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed that reasoning, saying “geographical proximity” and “large overseas populations” were not valid grounds for interfering in another country’s internal affairs. “We urge the Philippines to earnestly adhere to the one-China principle, and refrain from playing with fire on issues concerning China’s core interests,” the ministry said in a statement.
Beijing also warned that such statements “not only violate international law and the ASEAN Charter, but also undermine regional peace and stability and the fundamental interests of the Philippine people.”
The exchange comes as tensions rise between China and the Philippines over disputed territories in the South China Sea, where both nations have accused each other of aggressive maneuvers and sovereignty violations. The United States has reiterated its defense commitments to Manila under their mutual security treaty.
China considers self-governed Taiwan to be part of its territory, a claim the island’s government rejects. The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately comment on the latest dispute.
Written By Rodney Mbua
