China blasts Philippines president for congratulating Taiwan election winner

Chinaâs Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippines ambassador on Tuesday and denounced President Ferdinand Marcos Jrâs congratulatory message to the winner of Taiwanâs presidential election, Lai Ching-te.
Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters that Mr Marcos Jrâs remarks âseriously violated the political commitments made by the Philippines to China and rudely interfered in Chinaâs internal affairsâ.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be recovered by force if necessary, and angrily condemns statements that appear to confer legitimacy on the islandâs government.

Ms Mao said: âWe would like to sternly tell the Philippines not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue ⊠(and) immediately stop making wrong words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues, and stop sending any wrong signals to Taiwan independence and separatist forces.â
She said assistant foreign affairs minister Nong Rong summoned the Philippines ambassador to China on Tuesday morning and âmade solemn representations, and urged the Philippines to give China a responsible explanationâ.
Mr Marcos Jr congratulated Taiwanâs president-elect on Monday, saying in a statement shared on social media that he is looking âforward to close collaborationâ and âstrengthening mutual interestsâ.
Mr Lai, who is detested by Beijing, has pledged to safeguard the islandâs de-facto independence from China and further align it with other democracies.

Mr Marcos Jr wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: âOn behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwanâs next president.â
After US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Mr Lai on his victory, Chinaâs Foreign Ministry said Mr Blinkenâs message âsends a gravely wrong signal to the âTaiwan independenceâ separatist forcesâ.
The ministry claimed the congratulations went against a US commitment to maintain only unofficial ties with Taiwan.