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Criminal cases involving Chinese nationals in PHL isolated, says China embassy

China downplayed reports on the increasing number of Chinese nationals involved in illegal and criminal acts in the country, saying such incidents are “isolated.”
The Chinese Embassy made the statement following recent media reports that Chinese citizens in the Philippines are involved in money laundering and illegal pornography.
“Individual illegal and criminal cases involving Chinese citizens are only isolated incidents and cannot represent the whole picture of China-Philippines relations,” an embassy statement said.
China, it added, “firmly opposes any irresponsible remarks based on fake news and condemns any groundless allegations against China out of ulterior political motives.”
The embassy assured that the Chinese government is committed to combating all kinds of illegal and criminal activities and has been maintaining close cooperation with the relevant agencies of Philippine government on cracking down transnational crimes.
Such cooperation with Philippine authorities has led to “fruitful results,” the embassy said.
Since 2016, a large number of Chinese citizens have been hired for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations or POGO.
Any form of gambling by Chinese citizens, including online-gambling, gambling overseas, opening and operating casinos overseas to attract citizens of China as primary customers, is illegal, the embassy said.
China said offshore gambling has resulted in cross-border crimes, such as money laundering, which undermines China’s financial supervision and financial security.
With the influx of Chinese workers in the country, several Chinese nationals have reportedly been involved in organized crimes, such as human trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping, and fraud.
The Chinese embassy vowed to safeguard “the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines and has been providing consular service and protection for them to the best of its ability.”
“The embassy is willing to continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Philippine side in this regard, “ it said.
China, it added, is willing to work with the Philippines to push for a “comprehensive strategic cooperation to a new level.”

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