China issues 'alert' for citizens looking to study in PH

China on Friday issued an advisory urging its students to exercise caution when considering studying in the Philippines, citing a supposed surge of crimes targeting Chinese nationals.

The warning issued by the Ministry of Education "advised students to carefully assess safety risks and to strengthen their awareness and precautions when considering pursuing study in the Philippines," according to a report by the Global Times, a state-owned Chinese media.

The report said that "security situation in the Philippines has been unstable recently, with a surge in crimes targeting Chinese nationals."

"Incidents involving local law enforcement harassing and inspecting Chinese nationals and enterprises have occurred frequently. Political gatherings, protests, and demonstrations have also become more common across the country, resulting in heightened security risks for Chinese nationals and institutions in the Philippines," the report posted online by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment, but it has yet to reply as of posting time.

According to Global Times, Chinese nationals were asked by their government "to closely monitor local security developments, strengthen personal safety precautions and emergency preparedness, minimize unnecessary outings, and avoid political gatherings and crowded areas."

"Chinese nationals are also advised to comply with local laws and regulations and remain alert to potential safety traps or scams," it added.

Some lawmakers last year expressed concerns about the influx of Chinese students in the northern Philippine province of Cagayan, which hosts two military bases that can be used by American troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Manila and Washington.

It was not clear how many Chinese nationals are enrolled in Philippine schools, but previous media reports said the number could be between 400 to 4,600. The Chinese embassy could not confirm this.

The Philippines and China are locked in years-long territorial disputes over parts of the resource-rich South China Sea.

Manila largely won a landmark case against China’s massive claim in the South China Sea before an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, but Beijing does not recognize the ruling. 

The Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has sought to expand its alliances and upgrade its defense capabilities as it confronts an increasingly aggressive China in the waters, which has flared in recent years. The disputes also involve Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

China's vast territorial claims in the waters have sparked tensions and violent confrontations with smaller claimants, like the Philippines and Vietnam. —Michaela Del Callar/ VAL, GMA Integrated News