Manila, Sept. 20 -- The Philippines' One China Policy remains unchanged, but it does not prevent the country from pursuing relations with Taiwan, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday.

The clarification comes amid China's objection to Taiwan's plan to open a representative office in Cebu province.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also asserted that Manila, not Beijing, determines how it implements its One China Policy.

"The One China Policy does not preclude the Philippines from pursuing economic, cultural and functional cooperation with Taiwan," the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA said the policy remains "consistent, clear and unchanged" in accordance with the 1975 Joint Communique between the Philippines and Ch...