Stricter requirements for Chinese tourists to ensure travelers' rights, welfare — Consul General

The additional visa requirements for Chinese tourists are intended to ensure that the rights and welfare of the travelers are protected, Minister and Consul General Arnel Talisayon of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing said Wednesday.

Talisayon made the statement at a Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing when asked if the recent announcement by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on visa requirements for Chinese tourists would affect the relationship between China and the Philippines.

"I believe that this is an issue that is purely consular in nature and this has something to do (also) with our efforts to make sure that the rights and welfare of travelers going to the Philippines are also protected, by making sure that legitimate travelers are the ones that obtain their visas while still here at the post," Talisayon said.

He also explained that these regulations are "within the prerogative of the sovereign state."

Talisayon was among the 16 DFA officials whose promotions were confirmed by the bicameral commission on Wednesday.

Last week, the DFA said that it would tighten the visa requirements for Chinese tourists amid a high number of fraudulent applications received in its embassy and consulates in China.

While the announcement was issued amid a series of aggressive actions by China in the West Philippine Sea, the DFA clarified that this was "not related to national security issues" and that this would benefit the Chinese citizens who are often victims of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). 

According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Domingo, the intent is to "weed out" the illegitimate and unsavory" tourists from the legitimate ones.

However, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) said that tighter visa rules could discourage Chinese tourists from visiting the country, thus impacting travel businesses as well as the hotel and accommodations sector.

For its part, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) later expressed support for the tighter visa requirements, saying this would also help protect the Philippines from activities that are "probably inimical to national security or public interest." — VDV, GMA Integrated News