The Philippines still adheres to the “One-China” policy, but this does not preclude Manila from pursuing cooperation with Taiwan in areas of business, trade, and other functional matters, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday.

The statement came after reports that China strongly opposes Taiwan’s efforts to establish a representative office in Cebu, warning that such a move could strain China-Philippines ties.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the Philippines must abide by the “One-China” policy through concrete actions and refrain from taking any steps that could harm its diplomatic relations.

The DFA assured Beijing that Manila’s “One-China” policy remains “consistent, clear and unchanged,” but emphasized that adherence to this principle does not require cutting practical and economic ties with Taipei. 

Long friendship history

“The One China Policy does not preclude the Philippines from pursuing economic, cultural and functional cooperation with Taiwan. As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently noted, the Philippines and Taiwan are close neighbors with a long history of doing business together,” the DFA asserted 

The Philippines has long recognized the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China in accordance with the 1975 Joint Communiqué between Manila and Beijing. 

“The 1987 Constitution commits the State to an independent foreign policy, with executive power vested in the President,” the DFA said. 

In May, Marcos said the Philippines will not meddle in the China-Taiwan internal conflict in accordance with the “One-China” policy, although he called for a peaceful resolution of tensions involving Taipei.

Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said that while the Philippines recognizes the “One-China” policy, Beijing cannot dictate how Manila interprets or applies it.