CHINA on Tuesday said it had summoned the Philippine ambassador after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te.

“This morning, Assistant Minister Nong Rong summoned the ambassador of the Philippines to China to make solemn representations and urge the Philippine side to give the Chinese side a responsible explanation,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.

“The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposes” Marcos’ remarks, Mao said.

Independence-leaning Lai eased to a comfortable victory in Taiwan’s presidential election on Saturday.

Two days later, Marcos took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Lai, adding he looked forward to ”close collaboration, strengthening mutual interests, fostering peace, and ensuring prosperity for our peoples in the years ahead.”

Marcos’ statement was welcomed by Lai and incumbent Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen.

The remarks “are a serious violation of the One China Principle… a serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side, and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs”, Mao said.

“We are telling the Philippine side not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue… and to stop immediately its wrongful words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues and sending wrong signals to separatist forces for Taiwan independence,” she added.

“We advise President Marcos to read more to properly understand the history of the Taiwan issue so that he can draw the right conclusions.”

But the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs clarified that Marcos’ congratulatory message to Lai “was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs and holding a successful democratic process.”

“Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its One China Policy,” the DFA said. “The Philippines and Taiwan share mutual interests which include the welfare of nearly 200,000 OFWs in Taiwan.”

China regards the democratic island as part of its territory and has vowed to seize it, by force if necessary.

Beijing does not maintain diplomatic ties with countries that recognise Taiwan and opposes official communications with Taipei by foreign powers.

with a report from Agence France-Presse