Beijing (Reuters) – China accused Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday of accusing the Philippines of “With Fire” that Southeast Asian countries will be included in any conflict between China and Taiwan and the United States.
This is a remark about Marcos during his state visit to India that the Philippines’ close relationship with Taiwan and the large Filipino communities will make it necessary to participate in this conflict.
“Geographical proximity and ‘large overseas population’ are not an excuse for a country to interfere in other people’s internal affairs,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“We urge the Philippines to seriously abide by the single-China principle…not to get angry about issues concerning China’s core interests.”
Marcos’ remarks have increased tensions in the territorial dispute between Beijing and Manila on the busy waterways of the South China Sea.
Both countries have taken positive action and allegations of sovereignty there, prompting the United States to reaffirm its commitment to defending the Philippines.
Beijing believes that Taiwan is a democratic territory of Taiwan, and Taipei’s claim refuses.
The Philippines did not immediately respond to a request for comment at the Beijing Embassy.
“If there is a full-scale war, then we will be drawn into it,” Marcos told Indian media FirstPost on Wednesday.
He added: “Taiwan has a lot of Filipino nationals, which will immediately become a humanitarian issue.
“We’re going to have to go there, find a way to go there, and find a way to bring our people home.”
China said that such arguments “not only violate international law and the ASEAN Charter, but also undermine the fundamental interests of its own people.”
(Reported by Beijing News Editorial Office; Edited by Clarence Fernandez)
