- Title: China expresses concerns over Philippines' detention of Chinese nationals
- Date: 28th November 2016
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (NOVEMBER 28, 2016) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN GENG SHUANG WALKING IN FOR REGULAR BRIEFING MEDIA SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, GENG SHUANG, SAYING: "China consistently requires that citizens who leave the country respect the laws and regulations of the country they are in, work legally and reside legally, as well as not take part in or engage in activities such as gambling that might endanger their own rights. At the same time China expresses concerns over the large number of Chinese citizens detained by the Philippines. We will continue to pay close attention to the development of the situation and maintain contact with the Philippines, we urge the Philippines to promptly and appropriately settle the issue." BRIEFING IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG FLYING
- Embargoed: 13th December 2016 10:13
- Keywords: China Philippines detention Chinese online gambling foreign ministry briefing
- Location: BEIJING, CHINA
- City: BEIJING, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0015ACY345
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:China is concerned over the Philippine government's detention of more than a thousand Chinese nationals in a crackdown on online gambling in the country, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday (November 28).
The Philippine immigration bureau last week detained about 1,200 Chinese people working in call centre-like facilities that ran online gambling operations out of a former U.S. air force base, Clark Field.
The detentions were the government's biggest such round-up of Chinese nationals in the country, many thought to be working there illegally.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China had requested that the Philippines "appropriately make arrangements" for those who had been detained and quickly release individuals who have "legal identification".
"China consistently requires that citizens who leave the country respect the laws and regulations of the country they are in, work legally and reside legally, as well as not take part in or engage in activities such as gambling that might endanger their own rights. At the same time China expresses concerns over the large number of Chinese citizens detained by the Philippines. We will continue to pay close attention to the development of the situation and maintain contact with the Philippines, we urge the Philippines to promptly and appropriately settle the issue," Geng told reporters at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
It is unclear if the Chinese nationals were being held for gambling offences or for visa and immigration violations. Online gambling is not illegal in the Philippines, but it is subject to permitting and zoning regulations.
China has expressed support for the Philippines' other law enforcement efforts, including President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-narcotics campaign, which has sparked criticism from Western countries over fears of extrajudicial killings. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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