Manila asserted that Beijing should not meddle in its affairs, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement.
Taiwanese Delegation of Investors Visits the Philippines Amidst Tensions
Last week, a delegation of investors led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin, Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association chairman Joseph Lyu, and US-Taiwan Business Council vice president Lotta Danielsson visited the Philippines from Monday to Saturday. The visit was not directly mentioned in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' warning, but followed a warning from the Chinese Ministry regarding Minister Lin's visit to the Philippines.
The main purpose of the delegation was to promote the "Taiwan-Philippines economic corridor" under the "Co-Prosperity Project" in the spirit of the US-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue. The countries that joined under this project last weekend are Taiwan and the Philippines; Minister for Foreign Economic Affairs Lin Chia-lung was indeed present.
The Associated Press reported that Taiwan's top diplomat, Lin Chia-lung, flew to the Philippines in a private capacity to lead the delegation of Taiwanese investors and business executives. However, no comment was made by MOFA regarding whether Minister Lin joined the delegation and visited the Philippines.
In response to the Chinese Ministry's warning, MOFA spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei stated that it is natural and normal for Taiwan and the Philippines to want to strengthen mutual investment and trade relations, and China has no right to intervene. MOFA hopes Taiwan and the US would have the opportunity to increase investment in the Philippines and facilitate the Taiwan-Philippines economic corridor and other joint ventures.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Lin's visit reflects a serious lack of credibility of the Philippine government. The Ministry also urged Manila to stop playing with fire on issues concerning China's core interests and stop sending any wrong signals to 'Taiwanese independence' separatist forces. The Chinese Ministry did not confirm or deny Lin's participation in the delegation.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Friday, claiming that the Philippines had severely violated basic norms of international relations and its own commitments by allowing Lin's visit. The Ministry also warned of consequences for the Philippines if it continues to trample on China's red line.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan made a separate statement regarding the visit of the delegation of investors to the Philippines, but did not comment on the Chinese Ministry's statements regarding Minister Lin's visit. The organizations hope to jointly invest in a third country, according to Hsiao.
The visit of the delegation of investors to the Philippines marks a significant step in strengthening economic relations between Taiwan and the Philippines, despite the ongoing tensions with China. The future developments in this matter will be closely watched by both countries and the international community.
