The Philippine government said yesterday that it has reviewed its “one China” policy and does not plan to abolish it.
Edwin Lacierda, spokesman for Malacanang Palace, the Philippines’ presidential office, said the purpose of forming a study group to review the “one China” policy was to find ways of improving ties with Taiwan following a diplomatic row caused by the Philippines’ deportation of 14 Taiwanese fraud suspects to China.
The Philippines does not have a plan to end its “one China” policy under which the Philippines recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing all of China, Lacierda said.
The study group, led by the Philippine House of Representatives and the Department of Foreign Affairs, concluded that the country should continue its “one China” policy, although it should also continue to monitor and review the policy.
The group recommended the Philippines sign more economic cooperation pacts with Taiwan, as well as an agreement on mutual legal assistance to facilitate joint efforts to combat cross--border crime.
It also suggested the Philippines dispatch Cabinet-level officials to visit Taiwan and send foreign ministry officials to staff the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei to improve ties.
The announcement comes as the Philippines’ relationship with China has become tense because of an ongoing dispute over the sovereignty of a group of islands in the South China Sea.
Philippine Minister of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario is currently visiting China.
The report was sent to the relevant government authorities on June 15, but was not made public until Thursday. Some analysts in Manila believe the Philippines waited three weeks to highlight these recommendations as part of its strategy to play the Taiwan card while it deals with China.
The Manila Times yesterday quoted the group as saying the Philippines’ “one China” policy must be reviewed to strengthen and formalize its economic and cultural ties with Taiwan.
In a final working draft shown to reporters, the group recommended “enhancement of trade, economic, investment, education and cultural relations with Taiwan.”
The report said the Philippines must take advantage of the “burgeoning economic markets” of China and Taiwan since the implementation of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement boosted the volume of trade, commerce and tourism between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The recommendations, the study group said, were based on the establishment of quasi-government offices in Taiwan by countries with diplomatic relations with China all the while “adhering to the one-China policy.”
“These countries do so in pursuit of their trade, economic, education and cultural interests,” the report said.
Three ASEAN members — Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — were said to have “astutely deepened and expanded their relations” with Taiwan “without China’s objections.”
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