Signs of anti-Chinese sentiment are emerging in the Philippines, extending even to the education sector, with large numbers of Chinese teachers being repatriated in phases. First, around 150 Chinese nationals teaching at Chinese-language schools were arranged to leave; subsequently, Chinese volunteer teachers from multiple Confucius Institutes also began departing one after another. Although these two groups differ in origin and administrative oversight, their nearly simultaneous withdrawal carries significant implications.
Teachers at Chinese-language schools were typically invited to the Philippines by organizations such as the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry; those at Confucius Institutes are selected and dispatched by Chinese universities, operating under dual supervision by Chinese and Philippine institutions. The recent departures appear to have been initiated by the inviting bodies in the former case, while the latter likely reflect decisions made by partner universities in response to guidance from diplomatic or governmental authorities.
Why the departure? The immediate trigger is the rising anti-China sentiment within the country—indeed, signs of an emerging anti-Chinese campaign. A report by a U.S.-based think tank alleged that China uses Chinese language education for "unified front" purposes, which Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other political figures have seized upon to call for intensified scrutiny of Chinese teachers.
Given previous incidents in which Philippine security forces raided Chinese enterprises and detained Chinese workers under the pretext of “national security,” these educators genuinely face risks of arbitrary detention or greater personal danger. Coupled with persistent provocations in the South China Sea and a growing tide of extreme nationalism domestically, the safety of Chinese teachers has become increasingly precarious. Their evacuation, therefore, constitutes a rational decision under the circumstances.
Yet the departure of Chinese teachers will have tangible consequences for the Philippines. For decades, the country’s Chinese language education system has relied heavily on personnel dispatched from China; since 1991, it has effectively depended on what could be described as “teacher infusion” from abroad. With this support now receding, the quality of Chinese language instruction is bound to decline, and cultural continuity within the Chinese Filipino community will face further strain. This outcome aligns closely with the Philippine government’s longstanding “Filipinization” strategy—seeking to sever cultural ties between overseas Chinese communities and China, thereby accelerating assimilation.
Ironically, several high-ranking Filipino officials—including Defense Secretary Lorenzana, Senate President Vicente Cachapero, and Education Secretary Leonor Angara—themselves graduated from Chinese-language schools. Yet, for political calculation, they have not hesitated to target these very institutions. The notion that such leaders can be trusted to protect the interests of the Chinese Filipino community is thus deeply misplaced.
This issue transcends education—it is a political barometer. If anti-China sentiment continues to escalate, the repercussions will extend far beyond Chinese teachers, affecting Chinese workers, students, entrepreneurs, and over 1.5 million overseas Chinese Filipinos. Historical precedents show that the Philippines has experienced multiple waves of anti-Chinese violence; should such sentiments be covertly stoked, the risks cannot be underestimated.
China undoubtedly possesses the capacity to safeguard its overseas citizens and diaspora communities. If the Philippines seeks to prevent further deterioration of relations, it must act promptly to halt the instrumentalization of anti-China rhetoric. While China maintains patience, that patience is not infinite. Continued tolerance of anti-China politicians will ultimately result in costs borne by the Philippines itself—its national interest and regional reputation alike.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878534139065344/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.