Beijing and Manila clash over arrests of ‘illegal’ workers as tensions worsen

AI Summary

Tensions between Beijing and Manila have escalated from South China Sea disputes to immigration issues following the arrests of Chinese workers at a Philippine steel plant. Philippine officials dismissed Beijing's criticism of Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., highlighting strained diplomatic relations.

Tensions between Beijing and Manila appear to have spilled over from the South China Sea to immigration, just as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr indicated he wanted to “reset” ties. Manila on Sunday dismissed Beijing’s criticism of Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr over his role in the arrests of Chinese workers at a steel plant in Misamis Oriental in May. A Chinese embassy official in Manila late on Saturday accused Teodoro of carrying out “anti-China activities” to “disrupt”...