MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in Manila has rejected claims that Chinese-language teachers were leaving the Philippines because of what it described as a hostile atmosphere and alleged attacks against educational exchanges between the two countries.
Chinese Embassy spokesman Li Lingpeng said Beijing “firmly reject[s] the baseless accusations” and “strongly denounce[s]” what it called malicious smear campaigns against China-Philippines educational and people-to-people exchanges, including Chinese-language education in the Philippines.
The embassy issued the statement after reports that Chinese-language teachers working in the Philippines had opted to return to China amid concerns over their personal safety, allegedly due to criticism from retired US Air Force Col. Ray Powell, his SeaLight program and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.
“We firmly reject the baseless accusations and strongly denounce the malicious smear campaigns targeting educational and people-to-people exchanges between China and the Philippines, including Chinese-language education in the Philippines,” Ji said.
The embassy said educational and people-to-people exchanges had played an important role in promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Filipinos and Chinese.
“For decades, Chinese-language teachers coming from China to the Philippines have helped the Filipino people understand the language and Chinese culture, serving as a bridge between China and the Philippines,” it said.
The embassy also criticized what it called “malicious rhetoric and actions” against China-Philippines people-to-people exchanges by certain individuals.
It said such actions had “no place in the Philippines” and maintained that the longstanding friendship between the Chinese and Filipino peoples would continue.
The embassy, meanwhile, called on the Philippine government to protect Chinese citizens in the country.
“We urge the Philippine side to ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the Philippines are safeguarded,” it said.
