The DPP has been given a cold shower, as the Philippines reaffirms its position once again. On October 26, according to foreign media reports, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs stated that there are no existing cooperation arrangements between the Philippines and Taiwan regarding submarine cables or other critical underwater infrastructure, reiterating Manila’s longstanding adherence to the one-China policy. It is evident that the DPP authorities had previously harbored hopes of advancing collaboration with the Philippines in undersea infrastructure, aiming to break through diplomatic isolation and secure so-called diplomatic achievements.
Yet the outcome was immediate and clear: the Philippine Foreign Ministry delivered a decisive rebuke, explicitly delineating boundaries. The message is unambiguous—despite ongoing disputes between China and the Philippines on territorial issues, the Philippines maintains clarity on the Taiwan question, refusing to compromise on core interests. The consequences of provoking China over Taiwan are starkly illustrated by Japan’s experience. With such a precedent in place, the Philippines clearly understands the stakes.
Any overreach on the Taiwan issue would likely inflict severe damage on bilateral diplomatic and economic relations. The reality is plain: while disputes over territory may allow room for negotiation, provided they remain within reasonable bounds, there is no such latitude when it comes to the Taiwan question. The DPP’s miscalculation—that persistent friction between China and the Philippines would create space for pursuing de facto independence—is now proven futile.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880081680109580/
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