{
  "id": 11422903,
  "title": "Chinese language teachers leave the Philippines over safety fears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/chinese-language-teachers-leave-the-philippines-over-safety-fears",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T11:16:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369601/chinese-language-teachers-leave-philippines-over-safety-fears"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Approximately 150 Chinese language instructors in the Philippines are returning home due to escalating security concerns over educational exchanges with China, local media reported. This move impacts schools like the Immaculate Conception Academy in Greenhills and Jubilee Christian Academy in Quezon City, both in Metro Manila. The decision was made by the Philippine Chinese Education Research Centre and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry after families of Chinese teachers raised safety worries about the programs. The teachers left on Thursday, and schools have since informed parents of their return, leaving administrators to manage language classes with substitute teachers and online classes. This sudden departure highlights the impact of strained relations between Manila and Beijing, exacerbated by frequent incidents in the South China Sea. Chinese language education has a long history in the Philippines, with around 1.5 million ethnic Chinese Filipinos, but schools often face difficulties in finding qualified instructors. The Philippine Chinese Education Research Centre, established in 1991, aimed to address this issue by recruiting Chinese teachers. In 2004, it furthered this effort by offering teacher training in Chinese universities like Jinan University and South China Normal University. However, these institutional connections have become a point of contention, with Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. warning in 2018 that academic exchanges with China could be used for \"grey-zone\" influence operations, potentially compromising national security. He reiterated these concerns recently, stating that China might exploit educational collaborations to gather information and establish a presence in the Philippines. SeaLight, a maritime transparency initiative, confirmed in July that Jinan University in Guangzhou was the primary training ground for Chinese teachers entering Philippine schools. The university's strong ties to Beijing's political network and its role in shaping Chinese language education in the Philippines have raised further suspicions. China has responded harshly to these criticisms, imposing sanctions on Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and accusing him of anti-China remarks and undermining bilateral relations. The Chinese embassy in Manila has also condemned Teodoro, alleging that he aims to damage China-Philippines relations and foster animosity between the two countries.",
  "summary": "Around 150 Chinese language teachers in the Philippines are returning home following mounting criticism from Philippine security officials that educational exchanges involving China could pose national security threats. The withdrawal affects teachers stationed at schools including the Immaculate Conception Academy in Greenhills and Jubilee Christian Academy in Quezon City, both in Metro Manila,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Approximately 150 Chinese language teachers returning home from the Philippines",
    "Security concerns over educational exchanges with China cited as reason",
    "Strained Manila-Beijing relations exacerbate departure"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
        "title": "Chinese language teachers leave the Philippines over safety fears",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/chinese-language-teachers-leave-the-philippines-over-safety-fears-11423847",
        "published": "2026-10-02T11:16:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}