Philippines keeps China policy, wants to mend ties

Edwin Lacierda, spokesman for Malacanang Palace, the Philippines Presidential Office, said the purpose of forming a study group to review “one China” policy was to find ways of improving ties with Taiwan following a diplomatic row caused by the Philippines' deportation of 14 Taiwanese fraud suspects to China.

The Philippines does not have a plan to abrogate its “one-China” policy under which the Philippines recognizes mainland China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China, Lacierda said.

The study group, led by the House of Representatives and the Department of Foreign Affairs, concluded that the Philippines should continue its “one-China” policy, although it should also continue to monitor and review the policy.

The group recommended the Philippines sign more economic cooperation pacts with Taiwan as well as an agreement on mutual legal assistance to facilitate joint efforts to combat cross-border crime.

It also suggested the Philippines dispatch cabinet-level officials to visit Taiwan and second Foreign Ministry officials to staff the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei to improve bilateral ties.

The announcement comes as the Philippine relationship with mainland China has turned tense because of the ongoing dispute over the sovereignty of some South China Sea islands.

Philippine Minister of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario is currently visiting mainland China.

The House-Foreign Affairs group's report was sent to the relevant government authorities on June 15, but was not made public until Thursday.

Some analysts in Manila believe the Philippines waited three weeks to highlight these recommendations as part of its strategy to play the Taiwan card as it deals with China.

The Manila Times on Friday quoted the group as saying the Philippines' “one China” policy must be reviewed to strengthen and formalize its economic and cultural ties with Taiwan.

In a final working draft shown to reporters, the study group recommended “enhancement of trade, economic, investment, education and cultural relations with Taiwan.”

The House-Foreign Affairs report said that the Philippines must take advantage of the “burgeoning economic markets” of China and Taiwan since the implementation of the economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) boosted the volume of trade, commerce and tourism in Beijing-Taipei ties.

“Taiwan has contributed to the economic development of [China] through contributions in investments and scientific know-how,” the study group said.

“This surge in economic activities across the Taiwan Straits [has] also created vast opportunities for neighboring economies and for the entire region,” the group added.

The recommendations, the study group said, were based on the establishment of quasi-government offices in Taiwan by countries with diplomatic relations with China all the while “adhering to the one-China policy.”

“These countries do so in pursuit of their trade, economic, education and cultural interests,” the report said. Three member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — were noted to have “astutely deepened and expanded their relations” with Taiwan “without China's objections.”

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

PrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email