No ‘tit for tat’ if illegal Chinese workers are deported, says embassy

MANILA, Philippines — Contrary to what the Palace earlier claimed, China will not adopt a ‘tit for tat’ approach if the Philippines decides to deport illegal Chinese workers, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Thursday.

In a statement posted on its Twitter account, the Chinese Embassy clarified that China “adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.

“The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines did not say that Beijing would adopt a ‘tit for tat’ approach should the Philippine government deport Chinese nationals found working illegally in the country,” the embassy said.

“Chinese law enforcement agencies will continue to properly handle relevant issues concerning foreign nationals working illegally in China in accordance with laws and regulation,” it added.

The Chinese Embassy’s clarification comes after Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said that China would “do the same” to Filipino workers if the Philippines would hastily deport Chinese workers working illegally here.

READ: Palace: China warns of tit for tat if illegal workers deported

“That is what the Chinese ambassador told me during dinner, that if this government will just deport Chinese not in accordance with law, then we will also do the same. That’s tit for tat,” Panelo told reporters earlier this week.

The Chinese Embassy has taken note of media reports on the Presidential spokesperson’s remarks on illegal Chinese workers in the Philippines. The Chinese Embassy hereby clarifies as follows: pic.twitter.com/hva6fqNmE9

— ChineseEmbassyManila (@Chinaembmanila) February 28, 2019

However, the embassy was clear that China “respects the laws and regulations of the Philippines regarding employment of foreign nationals in the country and holds that Chinese nationals should not stay or work illegally in foreign countries including the Philippines.”

Earlier, the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development resumed its probe on the influx of Chinese workers in the country.

This developed amid recent incidents involving Chinese nationals, including a woman who threw “taho” (soy pudding) at a police officer at MRT-3, and a man who allegedly molested three women at an amusement park in Pasay City.

READ: LOOK: Chinese woman throws taho at cop detailed at MRT

READ: Chinese man arrested for molesting 3 women in Pasay theme park

The inquiry, which was first held last Nov 26, was prompted following the arrest of 93 Chinese nationals in an illegal gambling center in Pasig City. /ee