National security must not kill Philippines-China academic ties
Quick Look
About 150 Chinese teachers have left the Philippines amid rising tensions, following security warnings from Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr, potentially narrowing interaction and increasing misunderstanding between the two neighbours as official relations fray.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Educational and cultural exchanges have become a casualty of rising tensions between the Philippines and China, with about 150 Chinese teachers leaving after security warnings from Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr.
National security must not kill Philippines-China academic ties
Targeting educational exchanges in the name of security threatens an effective channel for Manila to understand and engage Beijing
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III is a policy and risk consultant and a licensed financial adviser.
Published: 5:30am, 9 Oct 2026
Educational and cultural exchanges have become a new casualty of rising tensions between the Philippines and China. About 150 Chinese teachers have left the Philippines months after Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr renewed warnings that such people-to-people ties could pose security concerns. Families of volunteer instructors have expressed safety concerns.
Beyond disrupting classes and potentially harming tourism in the Philippines, this could further narrow interaction between the two sides, creating more conditions for misunderstanding. At a time when official relations are fraying, putting academic exchanges under increased scrutiny could close one of the few channels to bridge the growing rift between the two neighbours.
The departure of Chinese teachers is the latest in a string of setbacks in bilateral ties. In May, authorities raided a steel plant in Misamis Oriental, Mindanao and arrested 70 Chinese citizens who were accused of being undocumented workers. All 70 were later released after the Department of Justice ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove allegations of having violated local regulations. Beijing sanctioned Teodoro and his family the next month.
In July, Chinese and Philippine vessels clashed at the Second Thomas Shoal as Manila hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) foreign ministers’ meeting. In August, more than 100 Filipinos were arrested in China and accused of violating immigration laws. Manila said a Chinese coastguard vessel rammed a Philippine government ship off the coast of Palawan province last month. Earlier this month, the Philippine coastguard sent one of its largest vessels and an aircraft to drive the Chinese research ship Jia Hai Ke 7 from waters around the Batanes Islands.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Further restrictions on people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China may be implemented if security concerns persist.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will the Philippine government reverse its stance on academic exchanges with China?
- How will the departure of Chinese teachers affect educational quality in Philippine schools?
- Are there alternative channels being considered to maintain dialogue between Manila and Beijing?
