President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reaffirmed Wednesday the Philippines’ adherence to the One-China Policy in her one-on-one dialogue and bilateral talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The dialogue and bilateral talks were held late Wednesday afternoon at the Great Hall of the People, following the full military honors accorded the visiting Philippine President by a composite Chinese military unit, including a company each from the Chinese Army, Navy and Air Force.

The members of the composite military unit were distinguishable by the color of their uniforms – fatigue for the Army, white for the Navy, and blue for the Air Force.

At her request, Guangzhou officials briefed her on the killer SARS pneumonia menace during a brief stopover at the capital of Guangdong province, before proceeding on to this Chinese capital for her three-day state visit.

The One-China Policy refers to the People’s Republic of China’s position that there is only one Chinese sovereign nation and that other Chinese territories claiming sovereignty are not to be recognized because they are mere provinces of China.

The policy particularly impacts on Taiwan, which has been waging a campaign for international recognition as sovereign country.

Manila maintains economic, but not diplomatic relations with Taiwan.