MANILA, Philippines, August 4 ------ The Philippines is “closely monitoring” China’s actions following the visit of United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs “are closely monitoring the situation as they would in any other similar circumstance.” “On matters of international relations, reactions are studied. We don’t make knee-jerk reactions because they could adversely affect international relations,” she said in a Palace briefing when asked for a reaction to the situation.
Pelosi landed in Taiwan on Tuesday evening, defying a string of increasingly stark warnings and threats from China that have sent tensions between the world’s two superpowers soaring. China’s military earlier vowed to launch “targeted military actions” in response to Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, adding it was on “high alert.” Pelosi is the highest-profile elected US official to visit the island in 25 years.
Cruz-Angeles also declined to comment on the appeal of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian for the Philippines to “strictly abide” by the One-China policy. “There is no reaction. Usually, when it’s a matter of international relations, we take time to study the matter and do not react immediately. Loose words might affect relationships and [they’re] very difficult to rebuild,” she said. “So, we will take our cue from the Department of Foreign Affairs if such a reaction is even warranted,” she added. The Philippines does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan in deference to the One-China policy.
Source: inquirer.net