The spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs came under fire from Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. for remarks he claimed disparaged President Marcos and the Filipino people, stooping to what he called “low and gutter-level talk.”

“It is unfortunate that the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson stooped to such low and gutter-level talk – resorting to insulting our President and the Filipino nation, and further debasing herself, the Ministry, and Party she represents in the process,” Teodoro said in a statement.

Teodoro also accused spokesperson Mao Ning of “spouting state-sanctioned propaganda and disinformation.”

“But then again, we should not at all be surprised—being a nation and people enjoying the privileges, rights, and freedoms of a democratic society—that an agent of a Party and system of government incompatible with our way of life and who routinely spouts State-sanctioned propaganda and disinformation would go that far and that low,” Teodoro said.

“It is unfortunate, but I am, myself, unsurprised. The spokesperson’s statements were ‘on brand.’ We, and the world, should not expect more,” the Defense Secretary added.

Out of the 182 nations that have established diplomatic relations with China, the Chinese embassy in Manila earlier yesterday singled out Marcos Jr. as the sole head of state to greet Taiwan’s president-elect, Lai Ching-te. Telling Marcos to “read more books” and adhere to “One China Policy.”

In response to Defense Secretary Teodoro’s tirades, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday asked the Philippines to uphold the “One China policy” and stop its “wrong words and deeds” about Taiwan.

“China will never accept anyone making provocations on the Taiwan question and we will fight back,” spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on Thursday.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning addressed on Tuesday the matter of Marcos congratulating Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te, stating that Marcos’ words were “a serious breach of the political commitments by the Philippines” and that they went against the One-China policy.

“We suggest that President Marcos read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue so as to draw the right conclusions,” Mao said.

PH reaffirms “One China Policy” despite FMJr. congratulating Taiwan Prexy

On Monday, Marcos wished Lai Ching-te well in his next role as president of Taiwan.

The President’s congratulations arrived one day after, in response to a question about the way the Taiwanese elections were handled, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the Philippines was dedicated to its “One China Policy.”

“On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan’s next President,” Marcos said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“We look forward to close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead,” he added.

Following Marcos’ congrats on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs reiterated the “One China Policy” and emphasized that the message of Marcos aimed to recognize Taiwan’s “mutual interests” with the Philippines, including the 200,000 Filipino workers who are employed there.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs reaffirms the principles contained in the Joint Communique of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos and Premier Zhou Enlai on June 9, 1975,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teresita Daza said.

“The Philippines is committed to its One-China Policy. The Joint Communique states that ‘the two governments agree to settle all disputes by peaceful means… without resorting to the use of threat or force’,” she added.

Known as the “Republic of China”, Taiwan is seen as “Renegade province” by the People’s Republic of China after the 1949 civil war.

Photo: Department of National Defense – Philippines FB