THE government has no intention of severing ties with China and remains committed to maintaining diplomatic and economic relations with Beijing while protecting Philippine sovereignty and national interests, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Marcos administration continues to engage with China, particularly in trade and investment.
“There is no prohibition in dealing with China in relation to trade and investment. We know that. And we are also dealing with China in a very diplomatic manner,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.
Asked about the Chinese Embassy’s claim that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had suspended military-to-military communications with China, Castro referred the matter to the defense chief for clarification.
The Palace press officer said that the Philippines continues to engage China to sustain economic cooperation.
“Our coordination with China remains continuous because we also want our trade and investment with China to continue,” Castro said in Filipino.
She said maintaining bilateral relations is separate from the Philippines’ responsibility to defend its sovereignty and territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea.
The Palace reiterated the government’s commitment to diplomacy and economic cooperation while upholding the country’s national interests.
