Philippines should abide by One-China policy, says Chinese envoy

China's top diplomat to Manila on Tuesday reminded the Philippine government to adhere to the One-China policy amid reports that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will pass through the country on her way to Taiwan.

"The One-China principle is an international consensus and universally recognized basic norm governing international relations. It is also the political foundation of China-Philippines relations. It is our hope that the Philippine side will strictly abide by the One-China principle and handle all Taiwan-related issues with prudence to ensure sound and steady development of China-Philippines relations," said Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.

Pelosi, who leads a six-member US congressional delegation, is on an Asian swing this week with stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan.

Media reports on Tuesday said that Pelosi, coming from Malaysia, would make a brief stopover in Clark, Pampanga—a former US military base—on her way to Taiwan.

However, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said Manila "has not received any request from the US government or their embassy in Manila for Pelosi to transit and/or visit the Philippines as part of her current swing of visits to the region."

Amid brewing tensions between the US and China over Pelosi's possible Taiwan trip, Daza said the Philippines is "closely monitoring developments in this regard."

Daza also called on the US and China "to ensure continuing communication to avoid any miscalculation and further escalation of tensions."

"We trust that China and the United States will be responsible actors in the region," she added.

In deference to the One-China policy, the Philippines does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a democratic self-ruling island that has been separated from the Chinese mainland since 1949 but is still claimed by China as part of its territory.

However, providing access to Pelosi in the country for a brief stopover could possibly trigger a diplomatic protest from China against the Philippines.

Reports said Pelosi would arrive Tuesday night in Taiwan, where she would stay overnight and hold a meeting the following day with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen.

"China firmly opposes any official exchange or visit between the US and Taiwan region of China. This position is clear and consistent. There is only one China in the world," Huang said, stressing that Taiwan is "an inalienable part of China’s territory."

"The government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The One-China principle is the political foundation of the diplomatic relations between China and 181 countries in the world, including the US," he said.

Huang said a visit by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives "at any time in whatever name is by no means an unofficial exchange between the United States and the Taiwan region of China."

Huang warned that China would take "strong and resolute measures."

"The US side and 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces must assume full responsibility for any ensuing consequences," he said. —VBL, GMA News