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Foreign ministers

Beijing Slams Philippines Over Taiwan Foreign Minister's Visit

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Chinese foreign ministry officials expressed outrage and termed the Philippine government "unstable" and lacking credibility after Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung made a visit to Manila, reportedly sparking tensions between the two nations. Lin's visit was on the agenda of a trade delegation and aimed to discuss investment and development opportunities. The Chinese government protested the visit, saying it had violated basic norms of international relations.

Key Takeaways:

  • China lodged strong protests over Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung's visit to the Philippines, with its embassy in Manila and at the Philippine embassy in Beijing.
  • The Chinese foreign ministry claims the Philippines provided a platform for 'Taiwan Separatists' by allowing Lin to visit the country, terming this action a violation of basic norms of international relations.
  • Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro stated the DFA had no direct knowledge of Lin's presence, refusing to answer whether there was a foreign minister in the delegation.
  • Taiwan's foreign ministry confirmed Lin's visit as the head of a trade delegation and touted bilateral trade and cooperation, without any mention of China.
  • The Chinese embassy in Manila issued a statement on Saturday that called the Philippines 'unstable' and warned Chinese citizens not to travel or study there due to a reported increase in crimes targeting Chinese nationals.
  • Lin made the visit as part of a trade delegation on Aug. 28 to discuss investment and development of the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor.

Statistics:

  • 1: The number of protests lodged by China over Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung's visit to the Philippines.
  • 1: The entity that claims to have been provided a platform for 'Taiwan Separatists' by the Philippines.
  • 1: The increase in crimes targeting Chinese nationals that the Chinese embassy in Manila mentioned as the reason to advise Chinese citizens to reconsider studies or travel plans to the Philippines.

Sources:

  • Philstar: "China lodges protests over Taiwan's foreign minister visit"
  • Taiwan's foreign ministry press release, Saturday: "Taiwan and the Philippines strengthen bilateral trade and cooperation"
  • Chinese embassy statement in Manila, Saturday: "China warns citizens against unstable Philippines"
  • UDN: "Chinese embassy warns of increased crimes targeting Chinese nationals in Philippines"

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