Reuters: The Philippine Defense Secretary on Wednesday accused the Chinese Foreign Ministry of insulting President Marcos Jr. during a news briefing earlier this week, stooping to what he called “low talk.” What’s your response?

Mao Ning: The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests and bears on the sentiment of the 1.4 billion Chinese people. The remarks of the Philippine side seriously violate the one-China principle and the joint communiqué of establishing diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, seriously go against the Philippines’ political commitments to China, and blatantly interfere in China’s internal affairs. It is completely legitimate and necessary for China to state our solemn position. The one-China principle is a red line as well as the bottom line. China will never accept anyone making provocations on the Taiwan question and will resolutely fight back.

We urge the Philippines to earnestly uphold the spirit of the joint communiqué of establishing diplomatic ties between China and the Philippines, adhere to the one-China principle, and stop wrong words and deeds on issues relating to Taiwan.