Far from facts: Taiwan protests Roque’s claim Taiwan is part of China

The Taiwanese government is fuming after Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the island-nation is part of China.

Roque earlier said the Philippines will leave Taiwan to decide if a Filipina worker working there should be deported over her Facebook posts critical of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We leave that wholly to the decision of Taiwan and China. Taiwan is part of China,” Roque told ANC.

Taiwan foreign affairs spokesperson Joanne Ou said they have ordered the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila to protest Roque’s remark.

“The (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed our representative office in the Philippines to immediately negotiate with the Philippines to express their protests. We solemnly call on the government officials of the Philippines to face up to the facts and stop misrepresenting Taiwan as a part of China,” she said.

Ou said Taiwan “expresses strong dissatisfaction and high regret” over the claim that Taiwan is part of China.

The island-nation has repeatedly insisted it is an independent country. However, the Philippines adheres to a “One China policy,” which considers Taiwan is part of China.

Ou said the Philippine government should formally request Taiwan for mutual legal assistance “if the Philippine judiciary determines that the migration is illegal and is wanted in accordance with appropriate legal procedures.”

She, however, said Taiwan will not deport anyone, even a migrant worker, if they don’t violate any laws.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)