Manila repairs the damage after “playing with fire.”

With broad backing from the local populace, the Philippine government has reiterated its long-standing stance of adhering to the one-China principle. Following President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.’s remarks on social media regarding the Taiwan leadership election, which Beijing vehemently objected to, the country’s foreign affairs department released an explanation on Tuesday. Taiwan issue spokesman Mao Ning of the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a warning to Manila, telling them not to play with fire and to stop giving the separatist forces pushing for “Taiwan independence” the incorrect signals.

She advised President Marcos to read more in order to gain a thorough grasp of the details surrounding the Taiwan dispute and reach an informed decision. The administration upholds the values outlined in the joint communiqué that Philippine President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos—the father of the country’s current leader—and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai signed in 1975, according to spokeswoman Maria Teresita Daza. The People’s Republic of China is acknowledged by the Philippines as the only legitimate government of China, and Taiwan is considered an essential component of Chinese territory, in accordance with the one-China principle.

In a statement released on Monday, the Philippine Association for the Promotion of China’s Peaceful Reunification stated: “In China, the Taiwan election is a domestic issue. There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan’s status as a component of China’s territory will not alter, regardless of the outcome of the election or the island’s circumstances.” It claimed that the eight-year-old Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan, or DPP, had escalated “de-Chinaization,” implemented “Taiwan independence education,” partnered with foreign powers, and turned to militarism. According to the group, Filipinos are against “Taiwan independence” and instead wish for peaceful development on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.