China Accuses Philippines Of "Playing Fire" Is Ready To Get Involved If Taiwan Is Attacked

Illustration of joint military exercises between Russia and China. (Wikimedia Commons-men's

JAKARTA - China accuses the Philippines of "playing a fire" in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s comments. who confirmed it would engage in an all-out war between China and Taiwan supported by the United States (US).

Marcos said his country could not avoid confrontations in the Taiwan Strait because of the nearby geographical location of the Philippines.

China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.

According to him, the problem of Taiwan is China's internal affairs. Regarding how to solve it is China's own business, which does not tolerate interference.

"'Geographic proximity' and 'big population abroad' are no reason for a country to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries," said a statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, August 8, quoted from the Global Times.

"We urge the Philippines to seriously adhere to China's first principles ... and refrain from playing with fire on issues concerning China's core interests," the statement said.

Marcos' statement on Wednesday comes amid rising tensions between China and the Philippines over a regional dispute in the busy waters of the South China Sea.

The two countries have accused each other of aggressive maneuvering and violating sovereignty there, prompting the US to reaffirm its commitment to defending the Philippines.

Beijing views Taiwan as China's democratic territory, a claim Taipei denies.