Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's recent remarks during his visit to India, claiming "Philippines can't stay out if Taiwan conflict breaks out," have drawn sharp criticism from a Chinese expert, who accused him of using the pretext of protecting overseas Filipino citizens to meddle in the Taiwan question, warning such rhetorics are reckless and would place the Philippines in a dangerous position.

Marcos claimed in an interview with Indian media outlet Firstpost on Wednesday that "If there is an all-out war, we will be drawn into it. We will have to go into Taiwan and bring our people home," referring to the Philippines' large expatriate population on the island.

Pressed on whether the Philippines would allow the US to use its military bases in a Taiwan contingency, Marcos asserted "Why should we turn down partners who face the Chinese threat? We are not acting as a puppet state. It is our duty to defend our country," Firstpost reported.

Commenting on Marcos' remarks, Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday that this was not the first time Marcos or other senior Philippine officials have used the excuse of protecting nationals to justify interference in the Taiwan question.

The Philippine government's moves—including the construction of new military bases close to China—indicate a clear intent to serve as a key partner for the US in any potential intervention, Chen said.

Marcos' remarks are playing with fire, essentially placing the Philippines in a dangerous position. The Taiwan question is China's internal affair. Philippine intervention will neither alter the fundamental trend of China's reunification nor make any meaningful military difference, but will instead invite serious consequences and completely damage China-Philippines relations, Chen warned.

The Philippine government has made repeated inappropriate statements suggesting intervention in the Taiwan Straits. "If something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved," Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Romeo Brawner told troops of Northern Luzon Command on April 1, according to USNI News.

When asked about the military chief's remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and is at the core of China's core interest. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves that no one can interfere in. 

"We urge certain people in the Philippines to refrain from making provocations and playing with fire on the Taiwan question. Those who play with fire will perish by it. We also oppose relevant personnel calling white black and making groundless accusations," Guo said.

During the same interview, Marcos also admitted that China was discussed during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the Philippines has frequently engaged in provocative actions against China on the South China Sea issue, Marcos claimed "We want to avoid a shooting war… a misunderstanding can blow up into something bigger. We want to cool rhetoric and keep communication lines open" in the interview.

Chen called Marcos' rhetoric "hypocritical," pointing out that just recently, the Philippines and India issued a joint statement referencing the illegal 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea—implicitly targeting China—and the two sides conducted joint military drills in the region. "Such actions clearly do not reflect any desire to 'avoid a shooting war' or 'cool rhetoric,'" Chen said.

Not long ago, UK Defense chief made the similar false remarks over Taiwan island, claiming that Australia and the UK "will fight together" to help the island of Taiwan "prepare for potential escalation from China." Although Healey later walked back the comment, saying he was speaking "in general terms," and "There's no change in the UK's approach to Taiwan," his remarks were widely seen as indicative of a flawed understanding of the Taiwan question and a dangerous intent to interfere.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has consistently reiterated its position on the Taiwan question. Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong previously stated that "there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and the core of China's core interests. Solving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people, and no external force will be allowed to interfere." He emphasized that the root cause of tensions across the Taiwan Straits lies in "Taiwan independence" separatists on the island, emboldened by foreign support and indulgence.

(Source: Global Times)