QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 313)
Executive Order No. 313 prohibits Philippine government officials from visiting Taiwan and from receiving Taiwanese officials, and it requires clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs for any official activity relating to Taiwan.
It cites the Joint Communiqué (9 June 1975) where the Philippines recognized the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and affirmed that there is but one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.
Yes. The text recognizes that unofficial people-to-people relations (commercial, economic, cultural, and other unofficial contacts) may continue, consistent with the one-China policy.
The EO explains that even private visits by high-ranking government officials may be perceived as official, because they represent the Philippine government, are publicized, and draw public attention.
First, no official of the Philippine government may visit Taiwan. Second, no official may receive Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines.
It prohibits Philippine government officials from receiving Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines.
No official activity relating to Taiwan may be carried out without clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
It cites that people-to-people contacts are facilitated by private offices (e.g., Asian Exchange Center, Inc. in Taipei and Pacific Economic and Cultural Center in Manila) whose operations are tolerated by the PRC, provided they maintain a non-governmental image and are not given diplomatic or formal consular status.
The EO indicates private offices must not be accorded diplomatic or formal consular status and must be presented as non-governmental to avoid being treated as official government dealings.
The EO grounds its policy on that Joint Communiqué, treating it as the international agreement framework supporting the one-China policy and defining Taiwan as part of Chinese territory.
It states it was issued “by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,” framing it as an exercise of the President’s constitutional authority.
It notes that official dealing or perceived official contacts would be viewed by the PRC as violations of the one-China policy and of the terms of the Joint Communiqué.
They are prohibited in the sense that the EO’s second directive bars Philippine government officials from receiving Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines, which would include such calls if treated as official reception.
No. It distinguishes unofficial people-to-people relations from official dealings; unofficial contacts via tolerated non-governmental private offices are allowed, while official interactions are restricted.
The DFA must grant clearance before any official activity relating to Taiwan is carried out.