Philippines to honor one-China policy

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Thursday that the Philippines will honor its One-China policy amidst fresh moves by Taiwan to become a member of the United Nations.

In a press briefing at the International Media Center at the Philippine International Convention Center, Romulo said that the One-China policy is the rationale behind the recent action by the UN to reject Taiwan’s application for membership.

"Taiwan is part of China. Therefore, there is no need for Taiwan to apply for membership in the UN," Romulo said.

The general position of the international community is that there is only one China, that Taiwan is an integral part of China, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China.

Such a stance is in accord with the UN Charter and has been affirmed by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Taiwan’s attempt to join the UN will not succeed.

"We resolutely oppose it and will keep a close eye on the development of the issue," Liu said. "The Taiwan authorities' attempt to split China will not succeed."

Taiwan authorities have sent a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon last week applying to "join the UN in the name of Taiwan."