Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed the Philippines' adherence to the One China Policy and stressed that the country would not interfere in issues concerning Taiwan.

According to Philippines News Agency, in an interview with Japanese media, Marcos stated that the Philippines has consistently observed the One China Policy, which recognizes the People's Republic of China as the only Chinese sovereign state. Marcos emphasized, "I have to make it very clear. The Philippines has, from the very start, always held a one-China policy. We have always held a one-China policy, and we will continue to do that."

Marcos clarified that the Philippines does not meddle in what it considers an internal matter but continues to call for the peaceful resolution of tensions involving Taiwan. He mentioned, "What we counsel everyone involved is that any conflicts be resolved peacefully. And again, it all revolves in peace. And that is, I think, what everyone's ultimate goal is in Japan, the Philippines, and all the countries around the region."

The President acknowledged that any confrontation involving Taiwan would affect the Philippines due to its geographic proximity and the presence of nearly 200,000 Filipinos living in Taiwan. He warned that conflict could impact 'northern Luzon and probably the rest of Luzon,' stressing the Philippines' desire to avoid involvement in any conflict.

Marcos highlighted the importance of cooperation among countries in the Indo-Pacific region to maintain peace and stability. He stated that maintaining peace remains the common objective of countries in the region, including the Philippines and Japan. "We continue to engage all stakeholders in this, and that is important. Because no country can fix this problem or put this problem to rest by itself. It really has to be the cooperation of all the stakeholders of all the countries that are in the region," Marcos said.

The Philippines continues to engage China through diplomatic channels and regular dialogue between foreign ministers. Marcos mentioned, "We have raised now the level of engagement with China, where we now have our foreign ministers have agreed to regularly meet. And I think, the first meeting between our foreign Secretary and the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic are scheduled to meet, I think in about less than a month's time."