China has called on Philippine authorities to strengthen protections for Chinese students amid growing safety risks, marking a significant development in cross-border educational exchanges. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized Friday that Manila must take 'concrete measures' to ensure the security and legal rights of over 3,000 Chinese nationals studying in the country.
The appeal follows an official overseas study alert issued by China's Ministry of Education, advising students to carefully evaluate security conditions before traveling to the Philippines. Government data shows reported crimes against Chinese citizens in the Southeast Asian nation increased by 22% year-on-year through June 2024.
'Protecting our students abroad remains a top priority,' stated Lin during a press briefing. 'We urge relevant parties to create safe, fair, and non-discriminatory environments for educational cooperation.'
The advisory comes as Philippine universities attract growing numbers of Chinese medical and engineering students seeking affordable English-language programs. However, recent incidents of theft, fraud, and physical assaults have raised alarms among parents and education consultants.
Security analysts suggest the warning could impact the Philippines' $680 million international education sector if safety improvements aren't implemented. The Chinese embassy in Manila has established a 24-hour emergency hotline for affected students.
