News - Middle East: China has issued a warning to the Philippines over Manila’s recent remarks after Chinese Taipei elected a new president.

Beijing summoned its ambassador in Manila on Tuesday and warned the Philippines "not to play with fire" after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr congratulated Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te on his election victory.
China was "strongly dissatisfied with and resolutely opposes these remarks," Beijing’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, referring to Marcos congratulating Lai on Monday for winning the election and referring to him as its next president.
"The relevant remarks of President Marcos constitute a serious violation of the One China principle and ... a serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side, and a gross interference in China's internal affairs," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced at a briefing in Beijing.
"China has lodged a strong protest with the Philippines at the earliest opportunity," and summoned its ambassador "to give China a responsible explanation," Mao added.
In an earlier statement last week, China’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the “One China” policy, saying the Taiwan issue is China’s internal affair and regardless of changes in the island, Taiwan is part of China.