PH, China in constant communication; talks on Taiwan continuous – DFA

FILE: The Department of Foreign Affairs Building along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, which used to be the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank. (Photo By Lawrence Ruiz, CC BY-SA 4.0)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Philippines and China maintain an open line of contact and are in “constant” communication over various issues, including Taiwan, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

The statement came following reports that the Chinese Foreign Ministry has summoned Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz over what it described as Manila’s “negative moves” related to Taiwan and security.

“The Philippines and China maintain open lines of communication through regular diplomatic channels, and our exchanges are sustained and constant,” said Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza.

“The two sides regularly exchange frank views over various issues, including on Taiwan, through these channels, and will continue to do so,” she added.

TaiwanPlus News earlier quoted Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad as saying the Philippine and Taiwanese navies have “unofficial and informal” engagements.

It later made a clarification citing a separate statement by Trinidad that he was referring to international cooperation and not joint patrols between Taiwan and the Philippines.

The Philippines and Taiwan have no diplomatic relations but commercial, economic, cultural and other unofficial contacts continue through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.