China dismisses Philippine education concerns as ‘political provocation’

China has branded the Philippines' concerns over its state-linked institutions' influence on domestic education programs as an "extremely serious political provocation". This statement follows a series of maritime disputes and confrontations in the South China Sea, where China asserts almost exclusive sovereignty, despite overlapping territorial claims by other regional nations.

In a recent defense, the Philippine Department of Defense cited China's national security law, which obligates cooperation with state intelligence agencies, in defending its oversight of foreign state-backed academic and cultural exchange programs. However, China's Foreign Ministry dismissed the Philippine's claims as "lies and malicious attacks," accusing a "small group of people" of recklessly "hijacking and undermining China-Philippines relations" for political gain.

The accusation was made without naming the individuals or groups involved, but the ministry emphasized the existence of "anti-China forces" seeking political advantage and attempting to "cover up their country's maritime violations" through "political manipulation and media distortion."

Previously, Philippine Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro had labeled China as "wicked," leading Beijing to accuse him of engaging in a "stunt to serve his own political self-interest." Recent suspicions about China's activities in the Philippines have intensified, including the conviction last year of a former mayor, identified as a Chinese national with links to criminal syndicates, on charges of human trafficking.