DFA says PH adheres to One China Policy following Taiwan polls

President-elect Lai served as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party and was President Tsai Ing-wen’s vice president. (File Photo: 賴清德/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippines is committed to the One China Policy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday following the victory of Taiwan’s ruling democratic party candidate William Lai Ching-te in a recently concluded presidential election.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs reaffirms the principles contained in the Joint Communique of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People’s Republic of China signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos and Premier Zhou Enlai on 9 June 1975,” DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a statement.

“The Philippines is committed to its One-China Policy,” she added.

Daza said the Joint Communique stated that Manila and Beijing “agree to settle all disputes by peaceful means…without resorting to the use or threat of force.”

Under the One China principle, the Philippines recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole Chinese government.

President-elect Lai served as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party and was President Tsai Ing-wen’s vice president.

He won over 40 percent of the vote in the 2024 presidential election, translating to over 5.58 million votes, and beat Kuomintang candidate Hou Yu-ih and Taiwan People’s Party candidate Ko Wen-je.

Lai earlier pledged to continue implementing his predecessor’s foreign policies, including the preservation of status quo in the Taiwan Strait.