China dismisses PH concerns of its influence on education as 'political provocation'

BEIJING — China accused the Philippines of an "extremely serious political provocation" on Tuesday, after Manila expressed concern about the potential influence of China's state-linked institutions on local education through cultural exchange programs.

Tension has grown between the two countries over repeated maritime disputes and confrontations in the busy South China ​Sea, which China claims almost ​entirely as its own, despite overlapping ‌claims ⁠by regional countries.

Defending the need for oversight of foreign state-backed academic and cultural exchange programs, the The Department of National Defense (DND) last week pointed to Beijing's national security law that compels cooperation with state intelligence agencies.

The statement was "filled with lies and malicious attacks," China's foreign ministry said in a reply to questions on the matter from Reuters.

The ministry said a small group of people "recklessly hijacked and undermined China-Philippines relations," without identifying them.

"A small group of anti-China forces in the Philippines, seeking political gain and attempting to cover up their country's maritime violations, are resorting to political manipulation and media distortion," it added.

In June, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro called China "wicked," prompting Beijing to accuse him of pulling a "stunt to serve his own political self-interest."

Beijing imposed sanctions on Teodoro in June after he characterized China as a "severe threat territory-wise and politically."

Suspicions about China's activities in the Philippines have intensified recently, with a former mayor, identified as a Chinese national with possible links to criminal syndicates, found guilty of human trafficking last year. — Reuters