A Chinese defense spokesman on Friday criticized remarks by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. that the Philippines was preparing for all contingencies regarding Taiwan, stressing that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair.
Chen Xi, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a news briefing that Teodoro's remarks, driven by political prejudice and self-interest, ran counter to the solemn commitment the Philippine government had made to China on the Taiwan question.
According to media reports, Teodoro said in an interview that the Philippines was preparing for all contingencies because 200,000 Filipinos reside in Taiwan. He also claimed that it would be counterproductive for the Chinese mainland to attempt to take Taiwan by force.
"The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair," Chen said, adding that resolving the issue is a matter for the Chinese people and brooks no foreign interference.
China strongly deplores and firmly opposes such remarks, Chen said.
"China is firm in its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and achieve national reunification," he said.
Chen urged the Philippine side to rein in the dangerous words and actions of its politicians, abide by the one-China principle and take concrete actions to maintain stable China-Philippines relations.
