China warns of ‘worsening security,’ crimes vs. Chinese in PH

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the weekend called on Chinese citizens to increase their safety awareness and avoid “areas of chaos” in the Philippines, citing supposed criminal cases against them in the country.

In an advisory released on social media on Sunday evening, the Chinese Embassy Manila said public security in the Philippines has been “worsening,” with “increasing crimes targeting Chinese nationals.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the Philippines remind fellow Chinese nationals there to closely monitor local security, exercise increased caution, strengthen self-protection measures, avoid high-risk areas, and ensure personal and property safety, while also advising those intending to visit the country to conduct careful risk assessments before planning trips,” it read.

Recently, public security in the Philippines has been worsening, with increasing crimes targeting Chinese nationals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the Philippines remind fellow Chinese nationals there to closely monitor local security,… pic.twitter.com/OlxdhnAf2q

— ChineseEmbassyManila (@Chinaembmanila) August 31, 2025

Just last week China’s Ministry of National Defense warned the Philippines of “consequences” over what it said was Manila’s hyping up of incidents, provocations, and infringements in the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

"The Philippines should immediately stop making provocations and infringements and stop hyping up incidents. Otherwise, all consequences arising therefrom should be borne by itself,” said Chinese defense spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang in a press conference in Beijing.

The statement was made after two small boats from the Philippine Navy’s BRP Sierra Madre supposedly approached China Coast Guard vessels in an “unprofessional and dangerous manner.”

It was also issued after Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson alleged that Chinese sleeper agents and operatives from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) are operating in the Philippines.

"Chinese citizens who intend to visit the Philippines are advised to make risk assessment and travel arrangements carefully," the embassy said. "In case of an emergency, please call the police and contact the embassy and consulates in the Philippines for assistance."

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said it will issue a statement on Monday in response to China's latest travel warning.

For its part, Malacañang has maintained that China cannot stop the Philippines from asserting its rights in the West Philippine Sea. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas and Michaela del Callar/BM, GMA Integrated News