Diplomacy

Manila Pushes Back on Beijing's Objection to New Taiwan Office in Cebu

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By TaiwanPlus

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The Philippines is defending Taiwan’s plan to open a second representative office in the country after China warned the move could harm bilateral relations. Beijing said Manila should adhere to its "one China" policy but Philippine officials argued that the framework still allows economic and cultural engagement with Taiwan. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told local media, “We define the one China policy. We define it. Not them.” Taiwan’s new representative office is set to open in Cebu City, a major trade and tourism hub in the central Philippines and highlights growing working ties between Taipei and Manila.