Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (File photograph by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy on Sunday mentioned its ambassador’s remarks advising the Philippines towards supporting Taiwan have been taken “out of context.”
On Friday Ambassador Huang Xilian, addressing the eighth Manila Forum of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding, mentioned: “The Philippines is advised to unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ rather than stoking the fire by offering the [United States] access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait if you care genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) [in Taiwan].”
He additionally famous that Manila’s “announcement of the four additional Edca (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) sites, [in line with that 2014 agreement with Washington], has caused widespread and grave concern among Chinese people.”
“Obviously, the US intends to take advantage of the new Edca sites to interfere in the situation across the Taiwan Strait to serve its geopolitical goals, and advance its anti-China agenda at the expense of peace and development of the Philippines and the region at large,” Huang additionally mentioned.
But it was his remarks relating to the welfare of OFWs in Taiwan that prompted a backlash right here, notably among the many nation’s legislators.
In its assertion, the Chinese Embassy famous the “extensive coverage” on Huang’s speech.
“Unfortunately, some misquoted or misinterpreted Ambassador Huang’s remarks or simply took part of the Ambassador’s words out of context,” mentioned the embassy, which additionally referred the media to the unique textual content of the speech, as posted on its web site on Sunday afternoon.
Huang had additionally mentioned in his speech: “Some tried to find excuse for the new Edca sites by citing the safety of the 150,000 OFWs in Taiwan, while China is the last country that wishes to see conflict over the Strait because people on both sides are Chinese. But we will not renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and all separatist activities.”
‘Scourge’ of US navy
Huang mentioned additional that “China is committed to strengthening dialogue mechanisms [with the Philippines]. Provocative actions or bringing in external forces will not help but further complicate the situation and cause more problems, putting regional peace and security at risk.”
“We should learn from history and avoid repeating mistakes,” he mentioned.
“To know if increased US military deployment in another country truly helps to protect the host country’s sovereignty and security, one just need to take a look at the long list of mess left behind by the scourge of American military around the world, the turmoils, divisions and devastation. Answers will not be difficult to find,” he added.
The Chinese envoy acknowledged the variations between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea.
“However, as neighbors across a narrow strip of water, relations between China and the Philippines are more defined by peaceful coexistence for over a thousand years and will continue to be so in the future. Friendship is always the main stream of our bilateral relations,” he mentioned.
He cited final month’s Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea held in Manila as among the many discussions via which the 2 nations are discovering methods to deal with their variations.
That assembly was led, amongst others, by Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and visiting Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.
Huang mentioned China has put forth a number of new initiatives, together with establishing a typical fishing zone “to enhance our practical cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.”
“We each have our respective claims and positions regarding the South China Sea. Differences thereof should be resolved by parties directly involved through dialogues and with mutual respect,” he mentioned.
‘Pack up and leave’
The embassy issued its assertion after lawmakers right here criticized Huang for what Sen. Risa Hontiveros described as his “truly disgraceful” remarks relating to OFWs in Taiwan.
On Sunday, Hontiveros issued an announcement advising the diplomat to go away the Philippines and urging Malacañang to ask Beijing to right away recall its ambassador.
“He has no business being a diplomat if he is unable to engage with us in a respectful and dignified manner,” the senator mentioned.
“He, along with his country’s ships and artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, should pack up and leave,” she added. “How dare he threaten us!”
Hontiveros additionally mentioned it was China that “has been stoking tensions” within the South China Sea by laying claims on areas that belong to different nations.
“It is China who continues to bully, harass and intimidate other smaller nations in the region. It is China who is making all this mess,” she mentioned.
“Our OFWs will continue to work where they work. End of story,” Hontiveros mentioned.
“Filipinos will thrive and make a living according to our wishes. We will never let Beijing decide on the future of Filipino families. Their destiny is not in China’s hands,” she added.
‘Threats’
The Philippines, she mentioned additional, wouldn’t dip its fingers relating to the difficulty of Taiwan’s independence, since that matter is “exclusively” for the Taiwanese folks to find out.
But she mentioned the Philippines respects Taiwan’s wrestle for “self-determination,” including that this “right must be upheld by all other nations that share this planet, even including the autocratic regime of China.”
“If China has issues with the US,” the senator mentioned, “she shouldn’t drag our country into their fight.”
Sen. Grace Poe mentioned Huang’s assertion was “uncalled for.”
“Our relationship with other countries is based on our national interest and [on] what’s good for our countrymen,” she informed the Inquirer.
Earlier Sen. JV Ejercito chided the Chinese envoy for issuing “threats” and virtually holding OFWs in Taiwan hostage.
“Why does the Chinese government always make threats on a supposed ‘friend’ just because we are establishing alliances with other right-thinking nations?” he requested.
“One thing for sure: It’s difficult to trust the Chinese government,” Ejercito informed the Inquirer.
RELATED STORIES
China envoy’s Edca warning cites destiny of Taiwan OFWs
China ‘advises’ PH to ‘unequivocally oppose’ Taiwan’s independence than ‘stoke fire’ through Edca
US to China: Edca with PH not about any ‘third country’
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
Read Next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get entry to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & different 70+ titles, share as much as 5 devices, hearken to the information, obtain as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.