Beijing reminded Singapore of its “one-China” position on Taiwan and summoned the Philippines envoy after the two Southeast Asian nations congratulated new President Lai Ching-te for his election win.

China “immediately made solemn démarches” to Singapore and separately on Tuesday summoned the Philippines ambassador, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning. A démarche is the equivalent of a diplomatic reprimand.

“Singaporean leaders stated on multiple occasions that the Taiwan question is ‘a deep red line’ for China,” Mao said on Monday. “China values this statement and hopes that Singapore will strictly abide by the one-China principle and uphold the overall friendly relations between China and Singapore with concrete actions.”

The one-China principle refers to Beijing’s view that there’s only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of it. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not reply to an emailed request seeking comment.

The Southeast Asian country, like most neighbors, has sought to balance deep ties with both China and the US amid a growing geopolitical competition between the two. It has also been vocal in promoting further dialogue in cross-strait relations even though Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has downplayed the likelihood of an imminent conflict over Taiwan.

Singapore’s Foreign Ministry in its comments on Sunday touted a “close and longstanding friendship with Taiwan and the Taiwanese people,” as it had in years past, saying it would continue to foster ties based on its “One China” policy.

Over the weekend, the self-governing island elected a politician seen as friendly to the US, and whom China has branded an “instigator of war.”

China said Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s well wishes to “President-elect Lai” on social media “gravely violate the One China principle.”

“China strongly deplores this and firmly opposes this and has immediately lodged strong representations,” Mao said on Tuesday during a regular press briefing. “We would like to tell the Philippines not to play with fire on the Taiwan question.”

Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Teresita Daza earlier explained it was the Philippine leader’s way of thanking Taiwan for hosting thousands of overseas Filipino workers, known as OFWs.

“The Philippines and Taiwan share mutual interests which include the welfare of nearly 200,000 OFWs in Taiwan,” Daza said.

Tensions between China and the Philippines have been escalating over the South China Sea, with their ships clashing in contested waters. Marcos has also strengthened his country’s longstanding defense alliance with the US, giving the American military greater access to Philippine facilities including those near Taiwan.

China blasts president of the Philippines for congratulating Taiwan election winner

China’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippine ambassador Tuesday and denounced President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s congratulatory message to the winner of Taiwan’s presidential election, Lai Ching-te.

Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that Marcos’s remarks “seriously violated the political commitments made by the Philippines to China and rudely interfered in China’s internal affairs.”

China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be recovered by force if necessary, and angrily condemns statements that appear to confer legitimacy on the island's government.

“We would like to sternly tell the Philippines not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue ... (and) immediately stop making wrong words and deeds on Taiwan-related issues, and stop sending any wrong signals to Taiwan independence and separatist forces,” Mao said.

She said Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Nong Rong summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China Tuesday morning and “made solemn representations, and urged the Philippines to give China a responsible explanation.”

Marcos Jr. congratulated Taiwan's president-elect on Monday, saying in a statement shared on social media that he was looking “forward to close collaboration” and “strengthening mutual interests.” Lai, who is detested by Beijing, has pledged to safeguard the island’s de-facto independence from China and further align it with other democracies.

“On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-te on his election as Taiwan’s next president,” Marcos said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

After U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai on his victory, China’s Foreign Ministry said that Blinken's message “sends a gravely wrong signal to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.” The ministry claimed the congratulations went against a U.S. commitment to maintain only unofficial ties with Taiwan.

China warns Philippines not to 'play with fire' over president's Taiwan remarks

China summoned the ambassador from the Philippines on Tuesday and warned the country "not to play with fire" after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr congratulated Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te on his election victory.

China was "strongly dissatisfied with and resolutely opposes these remarks," its foreign ministry spokesperson said, referring to Marcos congratulating Lai on Monday for winning Taiwan's election and referring to him as its next president.

"The relevant remarks of President Marcos constitute a serious violation of the One China principle and ... a serious breach of the political commitments made by the Philippines to the Chinese side, and a gross interference in China's internal affairs," spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular briefing.

"China has lodged a strong protest with the Philippines at the earliest opportunity," and summoned its ambassador "to give China a responsible explanation", Mao said.

"We suggest that President Marcos read more books to properly understand the ins and outs of the Taiwan issue, so as to draw the right conclusions."

The Philippines' foreign ministry in a statement earlier on Tuesday reaffirmed the country's "One China policy" and said the message of Marcos intended to recognise the Philippines and Taiwan's "mutual interests", including 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the democratically governed island.

It said the message "was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs and holding a successful democratic process. Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its One China Policy."

Asked by Reuters for comment on Beijing's summoning of the Philippine envoy and China's rebuke, the office of Marcos reiterated the earlier statement on the "One China policy".

Beijing's fury over the remarks is the latest in a succession of clashes between the Philippines and China, which come as Manila bolsters ties with former colonial ruler the United States, including expanding an agreement on Washington's use of its military bases.

Other leaders have also congratulated Lai on his victory, with many, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, calling for peaceful resolution of tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Separately, Taiwan's foreign ministry expressed its thanks to Marcos, saying Taiwan and the Philippines "share values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law" and Taiwan would further deepen cooperation and exchanges."

The Philippines has unofficial ties with Taipei, with its Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan serving as a de facto embassy.