Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday congratulated Taiwan presidential election winner Lai Ching-de, looking forward to “close cooperation” and “strengthening mutual benefits” in a statement shared on social media. He said there was.
Mr Marcos' congratulations are likely to be frowned upon by China, which claims the autonomous island as its own territory, which can be brought under Beijing's armed control if necessary. President-elect Lai has vowed to protect the island's de facto independence from China and further cooperation with other democracies.
After U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai on his victory, China's Foreign Ministry said the message “sends a serious wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces,” and said the message “sends a serious wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces” and has no ties to Taiwan. They argued that this violates the United States' commitment to maintain only formal relations.
Taiwan's new president blames China's political ambush for loss of ally Nauru
“On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-toku on his election as the next president of Taiwan,” Marcos said on X (formerly Twitter).
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks in Quezon City, Philippines on December 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
The Philippine president added, “We look forward to working closely to strengthen mutual benefits, promote peace, and ensure the prosperity of our people in the years to come.”
The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately comment on Marcos' congratulations.
The Philippines firmly adheres to the “one China” principle, which recognizes Taiwan as part of China and Beijing as the Chinese government.
Earlier, when asked for a reaction to the results of Taiwan's presidential election, Manila's Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefly stated that the Philippines remained committed to the “one China” policy adopted in 1975.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Marcos' remarks came amid heightened tensions between China and the Philippines over a series of territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
