China's embassy in the Philippines has just publicly announced that it will not be retaliating to the country's threat of deporting illegal Chinese workers. The Philippines government already mentioned that it now preparing to locate and deport any Chinese nationals that are found to be illegally working in the country.
The Chinese Embassy reiterated in its statement that it has no plans to adopt a "tit-for-tat" approach to the country's recent announcement. Embassy officials also stated that they respect the Philippine government's decision if it will push through with its plans to deport illegal Chinese workers. China is apparently ready to follow the laws and regulations of the Philippines, particularly those that involved the employment of foreign nationals.
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte previously stated that he was fearful that if the government will push through with their planned deportation of Chinese nationals, China might retaliate and deport Filipino workers as well. According to the president, there are an estimated 300,000 Filipinos working in China. Based on the latest data from the Commission on Filipino Overseas, there are at least 200,000 workers in Hong Kong and another 30,000 workers in mainland China as of its 2013 report.
Despite the Chinese Embassy's announcement, the Philippine government still announced that it will be fully enforcing its immigration laws, which includes the deportation of all illegal foreign workers from the country. According to recent findings, there has apparently been a rapid increase in foreign workers coming into the country. Most of the workers that are coming from outside the country are Chinese nationals. The Philippine Senate had previously launched an investigation into the influx of foreign workers in an attempt to find out if illegal workers are taking over jobs meant for its citizens.
In a follow-up statement and through a consular notice to Chinese nationals in the Philippines, the Chinese government had urged its citizens to strictly observe local laws. Those that break the laws must face the appropriate sanctions, which may include deportation. Just recently, a Chinese national was arrested for physically assaulting a police officer on a train. Another Chinese national is facing possible deportation over child molestation charges.
China's relationship with the Philippines has greatly improved under Duterte's administration. President Xi Jinping even visited the country last year, which is the first for a Chinese leader in over a decade. During his visit, the Chinese president reiterated China's strong relationship with the Philippines.
