China issues travel advisory on Philippines after kidnapping, bomb threat

China has warned its citizens not to travel to the Philippines after a Chinese teenager who worked in a family-run store was kidnapped. Earlier this month, government agents also arrested a group of men who said they planned to attack the Chinese embassy in Manila. In Beijing, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Friday urged the Philippine government to do more to protect Chinese citizens. Aside from the alleged bomb plot, Hua also cited “criminal gangs” who had targeted Chinese citizens and businesses.

Given that the safety situation in the Philippines is deteriorating, the consular service of the foreign ministry is asking Chinese nationals not to travel to the Philippines for the time being.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry

In response to the travel advisory, the Philippine foreign ministry released a statement saying it had been liaising with Chinese diplomats to ease their concerns. The warning comes as relations between the countries have soured and even turned hostile in recent years, as Beijing and Manila battle over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Many foreign governments warn their nationals to avoid large parts of the southern Philippines due to the threat of kidnapping. However, there are no blanket advisories to avoid the entire country.

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