FILE PHOTO: Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian (right) chats with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) after a ribbon-cutting affair at the Chinese Embassy on October 20, 2021. —PHOTO FROM CHINESE EMBASSY MANILA FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — China has “advised” the Philippines to “unequivocally oppose” Taiwan’s independence instead of “stoking the fire” by giving American troops more access to local military bases.
China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Friday said Manila should stand against the firm sovereignty claim of self-ruled, democratic Taiwan, which Beijing sees as part of its territory awaiting reunification.
READ: China vows to ‘fight to the end’ to stop Taiwan independence
He claimed that “some tried to find excuse for the new Edca (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) sites by citing the safety of the 150,000 OFWs in Taiwan.”
“While China is the last country that wishes to see conflict over the strait because people on both sides are Chinese, we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and all separatist activities,” Huang said at the 8th Manila Forum for China – Philippine relations.
“The Philippines is advised to unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ rather than stoking the fire by offering the US access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs,” he continued.
Last week, Malacañang announced the four new Edca sites in Northern Luzon and Palawan – areas in close proximity to Taiwan and the West Philippine Sea, which Beijing is likewise claiming to be part of its territory.
READ: Palace names four more Edca sites
The additional Edca locations, which give American troops access to a total of nine military bases in the Philippines, have not been operationalized yet.
During the “2+2” ministerial dialogue between top defense and foreign officials of Manila and Washington, the two longtime allies committed to “support the swift operationalization of the four new sites.”
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said they have yet to iron out details of the number of troops and terms of rotations in the new Edca locations.
READ: US vows terms of new Edca sites will be ‘joint decision’ with PH
Huang further argued that the dispute over Taiwan is “entirely China’s internal affair, as the Mindanao issue is to the Philippines.”
“You will never allow any third party to meddle with resolving rebel issues in Mindanao. Likewise, it should not be hard to understand why the announcement of four additional Edca sites has caused widespread and grave concern among Chinese people,” he added.
China has repeatedly warned the Philippines against the expansion of Manila’s defense pact with Taiwan-backer US, saying it would “seriously harm” the country’s interests and threaten regional peace and stability.
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