MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) are “closely monitoring” the visit of United States (US) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan following concerns it could severely escalate tensions with China.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles made this remark after Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian reminded the Philippines to adhere to the One-China policy amid Pelosi's visit to what Beijing calls its “breakaway province.”
“Our military and our DFA are closely monitoring the situation as they would in any other similar circumstance,” Cruz-Angeles said in a Palace press briefing.
She refused to give any more comments, saying that reacting to issues on international relation would have to be “studied.”
“On matters of international relations, reactions are studied. We don’t make knee-jerk reactions because they could adversely affect international relations,” she added.
Cruz-Angeles further said “loose words” that might affect international relations were “very difficult to rebuild.”
On Tuesday, Huang expressed China's opposition to Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
“There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory,” Huang said.
He stressed that the One-China principle is “the political foundation of the diplomatic relations between China and 181 countries in the world, including the US.”
Huang also hoped the Philippines would “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.” (PNA)