Philippine president congratulates Lai on election as ‘Taiwan’s next president’

Philippine president congratulates Lai on election as ‘Taiwan’s next president’

2024-01-16

In a rare move, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has congratulated Taiwan’s president-elect on his election. In a social media post on Monday, Marcos referred to Lai Ching-te as, quote, Taiwan’s next president. This was the first time Marcos used the term, and it’s likely to draw the anger of Beijing. It comes as tensions become increasingly strained between China and the Philippines, due to Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos congratulated Taiwan’s president-elect on Monday, saying that he looked forward to close collaboration. It was a rare gesture from the Philippines head of state, even more so for using the words “Taiwan’s next president.” Despite the Philippine foreign ministry reiterating the “One China” policy, the congratulatory message still flirted with China’s wrath.

CNA reporter
Military Chief Romeo Brawner says that Manila wants to upgrade its outposts in the disputed waters as to make them more habitable for its troops stationed there.

The Philippines has also been making moves in the South China Sea. Military official Romeo Brawner announced a plan to upgrade outposts on nine Philippine-controlled islands and atolls, to make them more livable for troops. Among the islands targeted is the Thitu Island near the Fiery Cross Reef and Mischief Reef, which China has turned into artificial islands with military bases.

Eduardo Ano
Philippines national security adviser
As a state-of-the art facility for maritime domain awareness, incorporating advanced systems such as radar, automatic identification, satellite communication, coastal cameras and vessel traffic management.

Experts say China’s expansion in the South China Sea has fueled anti-China sentiment in the Philippines. That’s prompted President Marcos to defend the country’s national sovereignty and pursue stronger alliances with democratic partners such as the U.S. Philippines-China relations remain tense after a string of conflicts in the South China Sea in 2023. More recently, two Chinese warships shadowed a U.S.-Philippines joint maritime patrol that included an aircraft carrier.

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