China has issued a sharp rebuke to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr after he suggested that Manila could be drawn into a potential conflict between China and the United States over Taiwan.

Speaking during a state visit to India this week, Marcos told Indian broadcaster Firstpost that the Philippines’ geographic proximity to Taiwan and the large Filipino community there would inevitably pull the country into any war. “If there is an all-out war, then we will be drawn into it. There are many Filipino nationals in Taiwan, and that would immediately become a humanitarian problem,” he said.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded on Friday with a strongly worded warning, urging the Philippines not to “play with fire” and to adhere to the one-China principle. “Geographical proximity and large overseas populations are not excuses for interfering in others’ internal affairs,” the ministry said.

Beijing accused Marcos of undermining international law and the ASEAN charter, warning that his remarks risk destabilising regional peace and harming the Philippine people’s interests. Tensions between Manila and Beijing have already been rising over disputes in the South China Sea, with recent incidents involving ramming, water cannon use, and even weapons such as spears and knives.

Marcos’s India trip also saw the signing of new security agreements to strengthen defence cooperation between the two nations’ armies, navies, and air forces. Indian warships have recently begun joint patrols with the Philippine Navy in contested South China Sea waters — a move expected to further irk Beijing.

Adding to the friction, Philippine officials this week condemned the launch of a Chinese rocket, saying suspected debris fell near a western province, posing risks to residents, ships, and aircraft. No damage or injuries were reported.

The growing maritime standoff has also drawn in the United States, which has a mutual defence treaty with the Philippines. Washington has reaffirmed its commitment to defend Philippine forces, including coastguard vessels and aircraft, if attacked anywhere in the South China Sea.