Law Summary
Prohibition on Official Engagements with Taiwan
- Philippine government officials are prohibited from visiting Taiwan.
- They are also barred from receiving visits or calls from Taiwanese officials.
- Such official dealings would contravene the one-China policy and the commitments to the PRC.
Scope of Allowed Relations with Taiwan
- People-to-people relations between the Philippines and Taiwan are permitted to continue in unofficial capacities.
- These include commercial, economic, cultural, and similar exchanges.
- Such activities are carried out through private offices: the Asian Exchange Center, Inc. in Taipei for the Philippines, and the Pacific Economic and Cultural Center in Manila for Taiwan.
Status of Private Offices and Unofficial Contacts
- The private offices maintain a non-governmental, unofficial status.
- Their operations are tolerated by the PRC under the condition that they do not have diplomatic or formal consular attributes.
Implications of Visits by High-Ranking Officials
- Visits to Taiwan by high-ranking Philippine officials assume an official character due to their government position.
- These visits attract public and media attention, thereby implying Filipino government representation.
- Such acts are perceived by the PRC as violations of the one-China policy.
Perception by the People's Republic of China
- Both visits by Philippine officials to Taiwan and visits by Taiwanese officials to Philippines government officials are treated as breaches of the Joint Communique terms.
Executive Directive and Enforcement
- Issued by President Corazon C. Aquino under constitutional authority.
- Explicit orders include:
- No official Philippine government visits to Taiwan.
- No reception of Taiwanese officials by Philippine government officials.
- No activities related to Taiwan by Philippine officials without clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
- The Executive Order takes immediate effect upon issuance.
Legal and Diplomatic Policy Implications
- Reinforces the Philippines' adherence to the one-China policy as part of its foreign policy.
- Ensures diplomatic relations with the PRC are maintained in line with prior agreements.
- Limits the potential for diplomatic conflict or misunderstanding regarding Taiwan's status.
- Establishes clear governmental procedures and restrictions on interactions with Taiwanese entities.