Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian
MANILA, Philippines — A party-list group has asked President Ferdinand “bongbong” Marcos Jr. to expel Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian for his statements where he appeared to bring up the safety of overseas workers in discussing the China-Taiwan tension.
In a statement on Monday, Akbayan party-list said that Huang — whom they called a “hostage-taker” — must also be declared as an unwanted person in the Philippines for his recent remarks about overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) in Taiwan.
The group was referring to Huang’s advice — that the Philippines should oppose Taiwan’s independence bid if it really cares for OFWs, instead of stoking the fire by adding American-operated sites through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) between the country and the United States (US).
“Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian’s call to the Philippines to oppose Taiwan’s independence in order to secure the lives of 150,000 Filipinos working in the country is the statement of a hostage-taker,” Akbayan said.
“We call on the Marcos administration to immediately declare the Chinese ambassador persona non grata and expel him from our country. Xilian is a hostage-taker, not an ambassador. We don’t negotiate with hostage takers. He has no right to threaten our citizens while enjoying our country’s hospitality,” it added.
During a forum last Friday organized by the Association for Philippine-China Understanding, Huang said that the establishment of new Edca sites does not benefit the OFWs because it is China which seeks to avoid conflict in the region.
“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),” Huang said.
“Some tried to find excuses 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,” he added.
READ: China envoy’s Edca warning cites fate of Taiwan OFWs
Senator Risa Hontiveros said that Huang must be recalled by China for threatening the Philippines. However, the Chinese Embassy said that the envoy’s remarks were merely taken out of context.
READ: China should recall its ambassador for ‘disgraceful statements’ – Hontiveros
READ: Chinese Embassy: Huang’s remarks on Taiwan OFWs taken ‘out of context’
Last April 3, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the following locations had been inspected and assessed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines:
- Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta Ana, Cagayan
- Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan
- Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela
- Balabac Island in Palawan
READ: Palace names four more Edca sites
After the announcement, many critics of the new Edca sites pointed out that the four additional sites drags the Philippines into the Taiwan Strait conversation.
Taiwan, which claims sovereignty from mainland China, is the closest neighbor of the Philippines in the north, with northernmost province Batanes being less than 300 kilometers away from Kaohsiung City.
READ: China: New Edca sites to ‘seriously harm’ P
President Marcos, however, assured critics that the expansion of the US sites is only meant to assist the Philippines, particularly in disaster relief operations. He also said that while he understands the Chinese government’s concerns, the Philippine government would not allow the new EDCA sites to be used for offensive purposes.