Beijing warns Manila of 'all consequences'

Manila will pay for crossing China's red line over issues related to the Taiwan region, Beijing warned on Friday, slamming a senior Philippine official for challenging China's core interests.

The Philippines, which continues to adopt wrongful and provocative remarks and behaviors, has violated its commitment over Taiwan-related issues and basic norms guiding international relations, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.

"(The Philippines) has kept undermining its ties with China and trampling on China's red line," Guo said at a regular news briefing. "It will pay for this. All consequences arising therefrom will be borne by the Philippines."

Guo's remarks came after news reports quoted Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr as saying on Wednesday that China "should not impose" its red line on the Philippines. Teodoro was commenting on the recent visit to the Philippines made by Lin Chialung, head of the so-called foreign affairs department of the Taiwan authorities.

China has previously made clear its firm opposition to the Philippines allowing Lin to visit.

By allowing the visit, the Philippines provided a platform for "Taiwan independence" separatists to engage in anti-China activities, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said late last month.

On Friday, Guo said he notes that people such as Teodoro have made unwarranted remarks over Taiwan-related issues on multiple occasions.

These people have also deliberately hyped the issues, and blatantly challenged China's core interests, as well as its red line, Guo said.

"The Chinese side never tolerates, and firmly opposes, this," he said, urging these people to "stop playing the role of a clown".

"We would like to make it clear to the Philippines — anyone who attempts to make provocations over the Taiwan question, meddle in China's internal affairs and undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity will shoot themselves in the foot in the end," Guo said.

wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn