The Philippines on Monday apologized to China for using a Taiwanese logo in an event to mark a "new era" of ties between the Philippines and China. Relations between the two countries are warming after prolonged periods of tension over control of the South China Sea — at least they were until this gaffe.
The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) apologized for using the symbol of Taiwan's Ministry of Defense rather than that of its Chinese counterpart as part of an event to thank Beijing's ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua, for China's donation of 3,000 assault rifles.
The confusion likely arose over the use of Taiwan's official name — Republic of China — in the logo, which officials likely mistook for People's Republic of China. The Philippine side were also quick to reassure that they adhere to the "One China" policy, under which China insists that Taiwan will one day be reunified with the mainland.
Editor: David Green
