MANILA, Philippines (AP) 鈥 Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday congratulated the winner of Taiwan鈥檚 presidential election, Lai Ching-te, saying in a statement shared on social media that he was looking "forward to close collaboration鈥 and 鈥渟trengthening mutual interests."
Marcos's congratulatory message is likely to be frowned upon by China, which claims the self-governing island as its own territory to be taken under Beijing鈥檚 control by force if necessary. President-elect Lai has vowed to safeguard the island鈥檚 de-facto independence from China and further align it with other democracies.
After congratulated Lai on his victory, China鈥檚 Foreign Ministry said that message 鈥渟ends a gravely wrong signal to the 鈥楾aiwan independence鈥 separatist forces,鈥 claiming it goes against a U.S. commitment to maintain only unofficial ties with Taiwan.
"On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan鈥檚 next president,鈥 Marcos said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead,鈥 the Philippine president added.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately comment on Marcos鈥檚 congratulatory remarks.
The Philippines adheres to the One China principle, which holds that Taiwan is part of China and recognizes Beijing as the government of China.
When asked earlier for a reaction to the outcome of Taiwan鈥檚 presidential election, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila briefly stated that it remains committed to its One China policy, which the Philippines adopted in 1975.
Marcos's remarks were made as tensions escalate between China and the Philippines over a series of .
