The Chinese Foreign Ministry has firmly rejected a malicious statement recently released by the Philippines’ Department of National Defense, which is packed with disinformation and groundless smears against China.

On July 31, the Philippines' Department of National Defense issued a statement claiming to “firmly reject” China’s recent remarks regarding the Philippines’ security oversight of foreign-related cultural and academic exchange programs. It also expressed so-called concerns over institutional risks supposedly brought by foreign legal frameworks and falsely accused China’s ethnic unity-related laws of attempting to assert extraterritorial jurisdiction over personnel outside China’s jurisdiction.

Responding to the wrongful accusations, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian on August 4 pointed out that the so-called Philippine statement is essentially an extremely malicious political provocation that interferes in China’s internal affairs.

Lin stressed that facts are clear and undeniable. A small number of anti-China forces in the Philippines have manipulated public opinion and distorted facts to pursue selfish political interests and cover up the country’s maritime infringements. By fabricating the statement in the name of a government department, these individuals have violated the Philippines’ commitments in recent diplomatic exchanges, attempting to hijack and undermine China-Philippines relations.

Regarding the mention of Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, Lin emphasized that the law effectively protects the legitimate rights and interests of all Chinese ethnic groups and provides solid legal guarantees for China’s ethnic unity and progress cause. The State Council Information Office has previously held a press conference to release detailed information on the law for public reference.