Malacañang has assured China that it is not targeting any nationality as the country implements its laws against illegal activities.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after China cautioned its citizens from traveling to the Philippines, saying they should conduct a thorough risk assessment due to supposed frequent incidents of harassment and inspection involving Chinese citizens and businesses by law enforcement agencies.

In her press briefing on Wednesday, April 2, the Palace Press Officer downplayed China's advisory as a "normal consular function."

She emphasized that the Philippine government is not targeting any specific nationality for harassment.

"We can assure China na hindi po tayo nagta-target ng particular nationality or a particular national na para i-harass (that we are not targeting any particular nationality or individual for harassment)," she said.

Castro reiterated that all foreign nationals are welcome in the Philippines, except those involved in illegal activities.

"Tandaan po natin, lahat po dito ay welcome except po, of course, kapag gumagawa po ng krimen, i-implement po natin kung ano po ang batas (Let us remember that everyone is welcome here, except, of course, those committing crimes, in which case we will enforce the law)," she said.

Castro said the travel advisory might be linked to the government's crackdown on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), where many Chinese nationals have been linked.

Despite this, she assured China that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is open to discussing the matter with China.

"Ang DFA po ay open po for discussion regarding this at ia-assure natin muli ang China na wala po tayong tinatarget na particular national (The DFA is open for discussion regarding this, and we will assure China once more that we are not targeting any particular nationality)," she said.