Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy on Sunday said its ambassador’s remarks advising the Philippines against supporting Taiwan were taken “out of context.”
On Friday Ambassador Huang Xilian, addressing the 8th Manila Forum of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding, said: “The Philippines is advised to unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ rather than stoking the fire by offering the [United States] access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) [in Taiwan].”
He also noted that Manila’s “announcement of the four additional Edca (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) sites, [in line with that 2014 agreement with Washington], has caused widespread and grave concern among Chinese people.”
“Obviously, the US intends to take advantage of the new Edca sites to interfere in the situation across the Taiwan Strait to serve its geopolitical goals, and advance its anti-China agenda at the expense of peace and development of the Philippines and the region at large,” Huang also said.
But it was his remarks regarding the welfare of OFWs in Taiwan that prompted a backlash here, particularly among the country’s legislators.
In its statement, the Chinese Embassy noted the “extensive coverage” on Huang’s speech.
“Unfortunately, some misquoted or misinterpreted Ambassador Huang’s remarks or simply took part of the Ambassador’s words out of context,” said the embassy, which also referred the media to the original text of the speech, as posted on its website on Sunday afternoon.
Huang had also said in his speech: “Some tried to find excuse for the new Edca 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. But 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.”
‘Scourge’ of US military
Huang said further that “China is committed to strengthening dialogue mechanisms [with the Philippines]. Provocative actions or bringing in external forces will not help but further complicate the situation and cause more problems, putting regional peace and security at risk.”
“We should learn from history and avoid repeating mistakes,” he said.
“To know if increased US military deployment in another country truly helps to protect the host country’s sovereignty and security, one just need to take a look at the long list of mess left behind by the scourge of American military around the world, the turmoils, divisions and devastation. Answers will not be difficult to find,” he added.
The Chinese envoy acknowledged the differences between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea.
“However, as neighbors across a narrow strip of water, relations between China and the Philippines are more defined by peaceful coexistence for over a thousand years and will continue to be so in the future. Friendship is always the main stream of our bilateral relations,” he said.
He cited last month’s Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea held in Manila as among the discussions through which the two countries are finding ways to handle their differences.
That meeting was led, among others, by Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and visiting Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.
Huang said China has put forth several new initiatives, including establishing a common fishing zone “to enhance our practical cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.”
“We each have our respective claims and positions regarding the South China Sea. Differences thereof should be resolved by parties directly involved through dialogues and with mutual respect,” he said.
‘Pack up and leave’
The embassy issued its statement after lawmakers here criticized Huang for what Sen. Risa Hontiveros described as his “truly disgraceful” remarks regarding OFWs in Taiwan.
On Sunday, Hontiveros issued a statement advising the diplomat to leave the Philippines and urging Malacañang to ask Beijing to immediately recall its ambassador.
“He has no business being a diplomat if he is unable to engage with us in a respectful and dignified manner,” the senator said.
“He, along with his country’s ships and artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, should pack up and leave,” she added. “How dare he threaten us!”
Hontiveros also said it was China that “has been stoking tensions” in the South China Sea by laying claims on areas that belong to other countries.
“It is China who continues to bully, harass and intimidate other smaller nations in the region. It is China who is making all this mess,” she said.
“Our OFWs will continue to work where they work. End of story,” Hontiveros said.
“Filipinos will thrive and make a living according to our wishes. We will never let Beijing decide on the future of Filipino families. Their destiny is not in China’s hands,” she added.
‘Threats’
The Philippines, she said further, would not dip its hands regarding the issue of Taiwan’s independence, since that matter is “exclusively” for the Taiwanese people to determine.
But she said the Philippines respects Taiwan’s struggle for “self-determination,” adding that this “right must be upheld by all other nations that share this planet, even including the autocratic regime of China.”
“If China has issues with the US,” the senator said, “she shouldn’t drag our country into their fight.”
Sen. Grace Poe said Huang’s statement was “uncalled for.”
“Our relationship with other countries is based on our national interest and [on] what’s good for our countrymen,” she told the Inquirer.
Earlier Sen. JV Ejercito chided the Chinese envoy for issuing “threats” and practically holding OFWs in Taiwan hostage.
“Why does the Chinese government always make threats on a supposed ‘friend’ just because we are establishing alliances with other right-thinking nations?” he asked.
“One thing for sure: It’s difficult to trust the Chinese government,” Ejercito told the Inquirer.