China defends its statement against Marcos.

A Manila Bulletin news report claims that China recently defended its criticism of President Marcos, which the Philippines' defense commander called "low talk." In response to Marcos' congrats to Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te, Marcos violated the one-China principle, the joint communiqué establishing diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China, and China's internal affairs. China has stated that it will not tolerate any provocation on the Taiwan question. The Taiwan dispute is also central to China's basic interests and affects the sentiments of the 1.4 billion Chinese people, according to Mao Ning, a spokesman for the country's foreign ministry.

China's reaction to Marcos, therefore, "is completely legitimate and necessary" in an attempt to express its "solemn position," especially when it asked the latter to "read more" to gain an adequate understanding of Taiwan.