The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday, July 20, that it hopes the Chinese Ministry of Education can correct the advisory it issued to Chinese students against studying in the Philippines.
DFA says China 'mischaracterizes' PH situation, hopes it will correct safety warning
A man holds the flags of China and the Philippines. (AP Photo)
According to the DFA, it has already reached out to the Ministry through diplomatic channels.
“The Department has conveyed its concerns regarding the inaccuracies in the advisory issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education through diplomatic channels. It is hoped that the Chinese side will undertake the necessary corrections,” the DFA said in a statement.
“The relevant advisory issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education mischaracterizes the situation in the Philippines,” it furthered, adding that the Philippine government has been engaging with foreign embassies, including the Chinese Embassy in Manila, regarding security issues.
“All instances of crimes, including those involving Chinese and other foreign nationals as well as those perpetrated by foreign nationals against their own, are being addressed by relevant law enforcement authorities,” the agency stated.
The remark came after China’s Ministry of Education warned Chinese students of studying in Manila because alleged safety concerns and frequent crimes “targeting Chinese citizens.”
“The Ministry of Education reminds all students studying abroad to conduct a thorough safety risk assessment and strengthen their awareness of personal protection when considering studying in the Philippines during this period,” the advisory read.
According to state-owned Global Times, the travel advisory is the Chinese Ministry of Education’s second study abroad alert for 2025.
The DFA, on the other hand, insisted that the Philippines “remains committed to constructively discussing matters of mutual concern with China.”