More than 180 Chinese-language teachers have left the Philippines over personal safety concerns, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan said on Oct. 13, amid growing scrutiny of China-Philippines educational exchanges after Manila's defense chief accused Chinese teachers of being spies.
"It is highly inappropriate for the defense secretary to speak in place of the foreign secretary, the education secretary and many other ministers," Dai Fan, a professor at Jinan University's School of International Studies, said in an exclusive interview with South.
Philippines' baseless accusations create a climate of fear for Chinese teachers
The dispute intensified after the US-based SeaLight Foundation published an investigation on Jul. 27 questioning Jinan University's role in training Chinese-language teachers for Philippine schools. The report linked the university's teacher-training programs to concerns about political influence and territorial claims involving the Philippines.
Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called for closer scrutiny of foreign-backed academic and cultural exchange programs, citing national security and academic integrity concerns.
Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines
Since the Philippines enlisted external forces to stir up tensions in the South China Sea, Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has repeatedly distorted facts and spread false narratives, making him a destroyer of peace and a destabilizing factor in the region. Especially concerning is that some Chinese citizens have been detained in the Philippines without evidence in recent months.
According to an overseas Chinese who requested anonymity, the Chinese-language teachers were forced to leave the Philippines out of fear for their personal safety, because of Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s speech.
Dai denied the accusation, saying the accusations against Chinese-language education lacked credible evidence. He described the approach as a form of over-securitization, in which educational and cultural exchanges were increasingly viewed through a national security lens.
"The current tensions in China-Philippines relations are being attributed solely to him," said Dai.
Who appointed Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as the Philippines' spokesperson?
It seems that Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has become the Philippines' spokesperson, with a climate of anxiety gradually taking shape in the overseas Chinese community.
"The latest developments have raised deep questions about the Philippines' decision-making system, particularly why the Department of National Defense seems to be leading on all fronts," said Dai.
"There is no evidence yet that bilateral people-to-people exchanges have been affected," he added.
In Dai's opinion, such a situation can only be described as abnormal and unhealthy for the development of China-Philippines relations, despite the Philippines' stated interest in maintaining economic and trade relations with China.
At the second Diliman Dialogue on Oct. 15, Jing described China-Philippines relations as being at an "extremely sensitive and critical juncture." He called for the two sides to manage their differences through dialogue and avoid allowing maritime disputes to dominate the broader relationship.
Reporter: Yao Jingsen
Photo: CFP
