China ‘appreciates’ PH’s adherence to One China Policy

FILE PHOTO: National flags are placed outside a room in Beijing, China, January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — China, which once criticized and urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to “read more to develop a proper understanding” on the Taiwan issue, now said it appreciates the chief executive’s assurance that the Philippines adheres to the One China Policy.

“We appreciate President Marcos reiterating the Philippines adherence to the one-China policy, emphasizing Taiwan is a province of China and the Philippines not endorsing Taiwan independence,” said the China Embassy in Manila in a statement on Wednesday.

This, after Marcos made it clear that he only extended greetings to Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te “out of common courtesy.

The Department of Foreign Affairs previously explained that President Marcos’ controversial congratulatory message to Lai was only his way of thanking them for hosting nearly 200,000 Taiwan-based Filipino workers.

“Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its One China Policy,” DFA told reporters then.

Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy on Wednesday said “there is but one China in the world” and that Taiwan “is an inalienable part of China’s territory.”

“The complete reunification of China is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends. China will realize reunification, and this is unstoppable,” it added.