Published February 9, 2024
- Manila’s recent order of more troops and construction on remote Batanes province prompts Beijing’s stern words urging ‘clear understanding’
- Philippine province sits less than 200km from Taiwan, which Beijing describes as ‘at the centre of China’s core interests’
China has warned the Philippines against “playing with fire” amid reports that Manila plans to bolster its military deployment on strategically important islands it controls near Taiwan.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Thursday reiterated Beijing’s position that Taiwan was “at the centre of China’s core interests and represents an insurmountable red line and bottom line”.
Beijing’s stern words stemmed from news that Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro had ordered an increase in troops and construction on Batanes, the island country’s northernmost province, less than 200km (124 miles) from Taiwan.
“The Philippine side should have a clear understanding of it, act prudently and refrain from playing with fire on the issue of Taiwan, so as to avoid being exploited by others and leading to their own detriment,” Wang said in Beijing.
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SOURCE: www.scmp.com
RELATED: Why the Philippines Is Increasingly Keeping a Close Eye on Taiwan
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro visits Mavulis Island, Feb. 6, 2024.Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command
Published February 9, 2024
The Philippines has been butting heads with China for years over the disputed South China Sea, but increasingly the Southeast Asian country appears to be preparing for another potential battleground: Taiwan.
Earlier this week, defense chief Gilberto Teodoro visited a naval detachment and ordered a military buildup on Mavulis, the northernmost island of the province of Batanes, which Teodoro described as the “spearhead of the Philippines.”
China wasn’t pleased with the development: in a press conference Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin warned that the Philippines must “tread carefully and don’t play with fire on this [Taiwan] question to avoid being manipulated and eventually hurt.”
Given the Philippines’ proximity (Mavulis is only 88 miles from the southern tip of Taiwan), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said last year that it’s “very hard to imagine” a scenario in which his archipelagic nation remains untouched by any conflict over the self-governed island that China claims sovereignty over.
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SOURCE: www.time.com
RELATED: China to PH: Taiwan a ‘red line’ issue, ‘tread carefully’
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. REUTERS
Published February 9, 2024
MANILA, Philippines—China issued a thinly-veiled warning to the Philippines on Taiwan, telling Filipino officials to “tread carefully” on the “red line” issue.
China made the remark following an order by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to raise military province in Batanes, the Philippines’ northernmost province that is very near Taiwan.
“I want to stress again that the Taiwan question is at the heart of China’s core interests and is a red line and bottom line that must not be crossed,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a press conference. Translation was provided by the Chinese embassy to Philippine media.
“Relevant parties in the Philippines need to understand it clearly, tread carefully and don’t play with fire on this (Taiwan) question to avoid being manipulated and eventually hurt,” Wang said.
The Chinese official said being “neighbors”, Manila and Beijing’s relations should be predominated by only “friendly exchanges.”
“A close neighbor can be more helpful than a distant relative,” Wang said.
