24-5-2024 (MANILA) The situation in the Taiwan Strait, where China has conducted military exercises, is an “internal matter,” according to Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who declined to comment on the drills that Taiwan has condemned.
China’s military carried out a second day of war games around Taiwan on May 24, with drills designed to test its ability to “seize power” and control key areas. Beijing has stated that the exercises were launched to punish Taiwan’s new president, Mr. Lai Ching-te.
“I will not comment on anything on the Taiwan Strait, as that’s an internal matter for them,” Mr. Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of a Philippine Navy anniversary event.
China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and denounces Mr. Lai as a “separatist.” It strongly criticized his inauguration speech on May 20, in which he urged Beijing to cease threats and said the two sides of the strait were “not subordinate to each other.”
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. drew China’s ire in January when he congratulated Mr. Lai after winning an election, referring to him as president. In response, China summoned the Philippine ambassador and warned the Philippines “not to play with fire,” calling Mr. Marcos’ message a gross interference and a serious violation of the “one China” principle.
Mr. Marcos later defended his remarks, stressing that his message was “common courtesy” and that he did not endorse Taiwan’s independence.
The US ally Manila has stated that it wants to recognize the Philippines and Taiwan’s “mutual interests,” including the presence of 200,000 Filipino workers on the island.
