China has issued four travel advisories warning of risks in the Philippines since April, with analysts saying that two-way trade, investment and higher education exchanges could slow if they are heeded by Chinese citizens.
The latest notice, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 30, described public security in the Philippines as “unstable” with “numerous crimes targeting Chinese citizens”. A similar advisory went out on April 1, and the Ministry of Education issued warnings in April and August for Chinese students in the Philippines.
Analysts say the average Chinese citizen visiting the archipelago for legal trade, investment, study or tourism seldom gets in trouble, although they need to be alert to potential risks.
Why are these advisories coming so quickly, and how do they affect China’s economic links to Philippines?
