President Marcos reiterates one-China policy and urges peaceful resolution of Taiwan issues

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to the one-China policy while emphasizing that Manila hopes tensions involving Taiwan will be settled peacefully.

Speaking during a roundtable discussion with Japanese media on Monday, Marcos said the Philippines has consistently maintained its diplomatic position on China and Taiwan.

"The Philippines has, from the very start, always held a one-China policy. We have always held a one-China policy. And we will continue to do that," Marcos said.

"When it comes to Taiwan, as far as the Philippines is concerned, we do not interfere with something that is an internal matter. However, what we counsel everyone in Taiwan is that any conflict should be resolved peacefully. And again, it all revolves to peace," he added.

Marcos acknowledged that because of the Philippines’ geographical proximity to Taiwan, the country would inevitably be affected by any conflict in the area, even if it does not wish to become involved.

"And just looking at the map, I mean, we're not talking about politics here, we're not talking about any other subject, except that if there is actual confrontation, if there is conflict, just looking at the map, you can tell that the northern Philippines, at the very least, is going to be part of that or will feel the effects. Let me just put it that way," Marcos said.

"We will feel the effects of the northern zone and probably the rest of the zone, and we will feel the effects of that whether we want to or not. We certainly do not want to be part of any conflict," Marcos explained.

The President said the Philippines’ participation in international efforts would only be limited to peacekeeping operations under the United Nations and not for hostile military action.

He likewise stressed that the country does not want to be drawn into any conflict, particularly because nearly 200,000 Filipinos are living and working in Taiwan.

Amid regional tensions, Marcos said the Philippine government continues to engage diplomatically with Beijing to help maintain stability and peace in the region.

"We have raised now the level of engagement with China. We now have our foreign ministers have agreed to regularly meet, and I think the first meeting will be our foreign – my foreign secretary and the foreign minister. "All the people in public are scheduled to meet, I think, in about – I think in less than a month's time," he said.

-Paraluman News