Taiwan has responded to China's backlash over Taiwan's top diplomat's reported visit to the Philippines — saying China has no right to interfere. The response comes as speculation emerges over why the trip has been kept so quiet.
00:00Taiwan and China are once again at odds, this time over a reported visit by Taiwan's foreign minister Lin Jialong to the Philippines, there as part of a business delegation.
00:10China slammed the trip last week, its foreign ministry accusing the Philippines of violating international norms and saying that there is a price to pay for trampling on China's red lines.
00:21On Tuesday, Taiwan's foreign ministry hit back.
00:30The foreign ministry has yet to confirm Lin's visit.
00:51On Tuesday, it declined to comment on whether he was a part of the delegation.
00:54But his presence has been widely reported by media, largely citing anonymous official sources.
01:00And a social media post by a Filipino real estate company appeared to show Lin speaking at a business meeting.
01:06It was later deleted.
01:08This has raised questions about why Taiwan seems to be trying to keep the reported trip under wraps.
01:14Some have chalked it up to tensions between China and the Philippines.
01:17That the Philippines let Lin visit at all is also seen as significant,
01:45and could possibly signal a desire to boost cooperation with Taiwan as relations with China deteriorate.
01:51Others say being cautious about publicizing diplomats' trips abroad is not unusual for Taiwan, given the frequent backlash from Beijing.
01:59In consideration of host country concerns, Taipei may choose to be more quiet about these visits
02:06in order to ensure that substantive communications and negotiations can move forward.
02:13Japan faced similar backlash from China after Lin's trip there earlier this summer.
02:18And experts say though every trip will involve different considerations about how much to reveal to the public,
02:23constant pressure from Beijing on both Taiwan and its partners abroad is a key factor.
02:28Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan Plus.
02:31Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:32Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:33Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:34Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:35Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:36Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:38Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:39Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:40Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:41Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:42Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
02:43Andy Xue and Keynes Quaranta for Taiwan is a key factor.
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