As rage over China Daily’s racist video grows, Taiwan grants Pinoys visa-free entry

Delimitation talks between Manila and Tokyo over an area east of Taiwan is among the many things Beijing has recently raged over

As rage continues to grow online over Chinese state media China Daily’s depiction of Filipinos as a “monkey” that merely bends to the will of powerful allies, a friendlier neighbor up north announced happy news: Philippine passport holders can enter Taiwan visa-free for another year.

“In reciprocity for the visa-free privileges the Philippines has extended to Taiwan nationals, Taiwan has also extended its visa-free entry for Philippine passport holders for another year!” announced Taiwan’s office in the Philippines on Friday, July 17.

Filipinos with valid passports can stay in Taiwan for up to 14 days visa free.

The privilege, which was set to expire on July 31, 2026, is extended until July 31, 2027.

“We look forward to seeing two-way travel between Taiwan and the Philippines continue to grow. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip now!” said the same Taiwan office on the Philippines page.

To be clear, visa-free privileges are matters that are negotiated and decided on in advance. It’s unlikely to even imagine that the decision was made only because of the controversy between China and the Philippines.

Taiwan is independently governed, but China, Manila’s not-as-friendly neighbor, claims it as its own. The Philippines follows the One-China Policy, which means it “understands and respects” the People’s Republic of China’s position that “Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.” But Manila’s stance does not mean that it supports Beijing’s “reunification” dreams — or the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s dream for it to also administer Taiwan.

Manila has no official diplomatic ties with Taipei, although it has the Manila Economic and Cultural Office to represent the Philippines’ interests and ensure the welfare of Filipinos in Taiwan. Its counterpart is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

Taiwan also happens to be a side character in a new chapter on chaos in bilateral ties between Manila and Beiing. In a video released by China Daily, the state-run Chinese publication depicted the Philippines — and, in effect, Filipinos — as monkeys that merely follow the orders of powers like the United States and Japan.

The Japan allegation is where Taiwan comes in. Beijing has made a fuss over the Philippines’ and Japan’s forthcoming delimitation talks to settle overlaps in exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and continental shelves east of Taiwan.

Taiwan, in response to the announcement of talks, said it wants to “[seek] confirmation that the future negotiation process and outcomes of relevant agreements between the two countries will not affect the sovereign rights afforded to Taiwan in accordance with international law and the law of the sea.”

It also reminded Beijing that “China has no right to comment on Taiwan’s policies or position regarding the Japan-Philippines exclusive economic zone delimitation negotiations, much less speak on behalf of Taiwan.”

Taiwan also reminded both Japan and the Philippines to consider a “high degree of overlap between the area to be negotiated by Japan and the Philippines and Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone off its east coast.”

But what didn’t Taiwan do? Depict a close neighbor as a monkey. – Rappler.com