The growing tension between China and Taiwan has become a “major concern” for the Philippine government, according to Manila’s National Security Policy.
In the National Security Policy 2023-2028, the Philippine government said that China-Taiwan relations have the “potential to be the flashpoint in the region.” It also stated that the Philippines is worried about its economic stability, the welfare of overseas populations, and a possible surge of refugees.
If a military conflict takes place in the Taiwan Strait, it would undoubtedly affect the Philippines because of the geographic proximity of Taiwan to the Philippine landmass. The presence of around 150,000 Filipinos in Taiwan is also a matter of concern.
China claims that Taiwan is part of their country while the latter called itself an independent country and not a part of China. Recently, China announced that it would take ‘strong measures’ after Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai stopover in the US.
In response to Lai’s stopover at the US, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying, “China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region. We firmly oppose any visit by “Taiwan independence” separatists to the US in any name or under whatever pretext, and we firmly oppose the US government having any form of official contact with the Taiwan region. China deplores and strongly condemns the US decision to arrange the so-called “stopover” for Lai Ching-te.”