China's Ministry of National Defense spokesman Colonel Chen Xi said on Nov. 13
that Taiwan is an internal Chinese matter and Beijing remains firmly determined
to safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity and national reunification.
Chen's remarks followed an interview in which the Philippine defense minister,
citing about 200,000 Filipinos in Taiwan, said Manila was preparing for
contingencies and warned a Chinese use of force would be counterproductive. Chen
said comments by individual Philippine politicians reflect political bias and
self-interest, violate Manila's commitments on Taiwan, risk harming bilateral
ties, and urged the Philippines to strictly restrain such statements and adhere
to the One China principle.
