China media: Philippines a 'quasi-rogue' state
MANILA, Philippines — Chinese media reacted to crimes and supposed threats against Chinese nationals in the Philippines, calling the country a "quasi-rogue" state without any real guarantee of safety of Chinese citizens.
The English-language Global Times in its editorial on Tuesday criticized Philippine authorities for instigating the public's "nationalist and anti-China sentiment," saying it can easily turn into "extremism" and can be used by the government as an excuse to cover its inefficiency in controlling crime.
"Poor social governance, an anti-China sentiment and a Western-style democratic system where nationalism can foment wantonly make the Philippines a quasi-rogue state," the state-run newspaper said.
It was an apparent reference to a recent incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport involving suspected bombers with a plot targeting Chinese businesses and an embassy. It also mentioned the 2010 hostage crisis that left dead eight Hong Kong nationals in Manila even as both governments have settled the matter earlier this year.
An article in Haiwai Net, meanwhile, claims that President Aquino and the Philippine media "led the country astray" by focusing on foreign policy than domestic issues.
"Yet he is also not good at handling foreign affairs," the commentary said amid Aquino's ongoing European trip.
The Global Times, moreover, slammed Manila for lack of sincerity in wanting to secure Chinese citizens, urging President Aquino to publicly apologize for the "serial attacks" in Philippine soil.
"Apart from this, Manila should take actions to crack down on provocations emanating from the extreme anti-China sentiment," it said.
Taking an apparent jab at the Philippines' claims over disputed areas in the South China Sea, the newspaper said that the crime incidents make Chinese citizens "highly suspicious" of whether the country can abide by international laws.
"We advise Chinese citizens not to travel there in the near future, which, while being an act of caution to ensure one's safety, is also a warning signal to the Philippines," it said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry last week strongly warned against travel to the Philippines "given that the safety situation is deteriorating." China is among the major sources of tourists to the Philippines.
The warning comes as relations between the countries have soured and even turned hostile in recent years as Beijing and Manila battle over maritime claims.
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