![\"Chinese](\"https:\/\/globalnation.inquirer.net\/files\/2023\/04\/News457971-scaled-e1681662336962.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nChinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (File photograph by NI\u00d1O JESUS ORBETA \/ Philippine Daily Inquirer)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
MANILA, Philippines \u2014 The Chinese Embassy on Sunday mentioned its ambassador\u2019s remarks advising the Philippines towards supporting Taiwan have been taken \u201cout of context.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Friday Ambassador Huang Xilian, addressing the eighth Manila Forum of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding, mentioned: \u201cThe Philippines is advised to unequivocally oppose \u2018Taiwan independence\u2019 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].\u201d<\/p>\n
He additionally famous that Manila\u2019s \u201cannouncement 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, 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,\u201d Huang additionally mentioned.<\/p>\n
But it was his remarks relating to the welfare of OFWs in Taiwan that prompted a backlash right here, notably among the many nation\u2019s legislators.<\/p>\n
In its assertion, the Chinese Embassy famous the \u201cextensive coverage\u201d on Huang\u2019s speech.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, some misquoted or misinterpreted Ambassador Huang\u2019s remarks or simply took part of the Ambassador\u2019s words out of context,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Huang had additionally mentioned in his speech: \u201cSome 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Scourge\u2019 of US navy<\/h2>\n
Huang mentioned additional that \u201cChina 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should learn from history and avoid repeating mistakes,\u201d he mentioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo know if increased US military deployment in another country truly helps to protect the host country\u2019s 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The Chinese envoy acknowledged the variations between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, 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,\u201d he mentioned.<\/p>\n
He cited final month\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
That assembly was led, amongst others, by Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and visiting Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.<\/p>\n
Huang mentioned China has put forth a number of new initiatives, together with establishing a typical fishing zone \u201cto enhance our practical cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d he mentioned.<\/p>\n
\u2018Pack up and leave\u2019<\/h2>\n
The embassy issued its assertion after lawmakers right here criticized Huang for what Sen. Risa Hontiveros described as his \u201ctruly disgraceful\u201d remarks relating to OFWs in Taiwan.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Hontiveros issued an announcement advising the diplomat to go away the Philippines and urging Malaca\u00f1ang to ask Beijing to right away recall its ambassador.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has no business being a diplomat if he is unable to engage with us in a respectful and dignified manner,\u201d the senator mentioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe, along with his country\u2019s ships and artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, should pack up and leave,\u201d she added. \u201cHow dare he threaten us!\u201d<\/p>\n
Hontiveros additionally mentioned it was China that \u201chas been stoking tensions\u201d within the South China Sea by laying claims on areas that belong to different nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is China who continues to bully, harass and intimidate other smaller nations in the region. It is China who is making all this mess,\u201d she mentioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur OFWs will continue to work where they work. End of story,\u201d Hontiveros mentioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cFilipinos 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\u2019s hands,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u2018Threats\u2019<\/h2>\n
The Philippines, she mentioned additional, wouldn’t dip its fingers relating to the difficulty of Taiwan\u2019s independence, since that matter is \u201cexclusively\u201d for the Taiwanese folks to find out.<\/p>\n
But she mentioned the Philippines respects Taiwan\u2019s wrestle for \u201cself-determination,\u201d including that this \u201cright must be upheld by all other nations that share this planet, even including the autocratic regime of China.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf China has issues with the US,\u201d the senator mentioned, \u201cshe shouldn\u2019t drag our country into their fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sen. Grace Poe mentioned Huang\u2019s assertion was \u201cuncalled for.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur relationship with other countries is based on our national interest and [on] what\u2019s good for our countrymen,\u201d she informed the Inquirer.<\/p>\n
Earlier Sen. JV Ejercito chided the Chinese envoy for issuing \u201cthreats\u201d and virtually holding OFWs in Taiwan hostage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy does the Chinese government always make threats on a supposed \u2018friend\u2019 just because we are establishing alliances with other right-thinking nations?\u201d he requested.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing for sure: It\u2019s difficult to trust the Chinese government,\u201d Ejercito informed the Inquirer.<\/p>\n