According to a report by the Philippine Star, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on the 26th denied statements previously made by Philippine diplomats in the United States regarding Manila’s alleged discussions with Taipei over deepening cooperation to protect submarine cables. The department stated there are “no arrangements whatsoever with Taiwan on submarine cables or other critical underwater infrastructure,” reiterating its adherence to the one-China policy in an effort to de-escalate the diplomatic dispute.
The apparent reversal by Philippine officials appears aimed at containing the fallout, but the underlying dynamics are more complex. China has made its position unequivocally clear: there is no gray area on the Taiwan issue, which lies at the core of its fundamental interests. Any official collaboration between the Philippines and Taiwan on such matters would amount to a direct provocation, inevitably crossing red lines.
In recent months, tensions between China and the Philippines have primarily centered on the South China Sea. Under sustained encouragement from the United States and Japan, the Philippines has intensified military deployments on islands near Taiwan, occasionally conducting provocative maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait region, seemingly seeking to leverage the Taiwan card to strengthen its strategic position in South China Sea disputes. The swift retraction by Philippine authorities indicates an awareness that crossing Taiwan-related red lines carries severe consequences—consequences too costly to risk. However, mere verbal reaffirmation of the one-China principle falls short; what matters is concrete action. A dual approach—publicly acknowledging one China while simultaneously aligning with external powers to stir tensions around Taiwan—carries immense risks. For the Philippines, attempting to exploit the Taiwan issue for strategic gain may ultimately backfire.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880168257448960/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.