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China warns Philippines against ‘playing with fire’ as Manila boosts military presence near Taiwan
- Manila’s recent order of more troops and construction on remote Batanes province prompts Beijing’s stern words urging ‘clear understanding’
- Philippine province sits less than 200km from Taiwan, which Beijing describes as ‘at the centre of China’s core interests’
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China has warned the Philippines against “playing with fire” amid reports that Manila plans to bolster its military deployment on strategically important islands it controls near Taiwan.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Thursday reiterated Beijing’s position that Taiwan was “at the centre of China’s core interests and represents an insurmountable red line and bottom line”.
Beijing’s stern words stemmed from news that Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro had ordered an increase in troops and construction on Batanes, the island country’s northernmost province, less than 200km (124 miles) from Taiwan.
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“The Philippine side should have a clear understanding of it, act prudently and refrain from playing with fire on the issue of Taiwan, so as to avoid being exploited by others and leading to their own detriment,” Wang said in Beijing.
China and the Philippines shared a long history of friendship, he said, adding that good neighbours should treat each other with mutual respect on issues like national sovereignty and territorial integrity and not interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
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