BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The consistent attacks and smears against China by the Philippines' Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. harm not only the bilateral relations, but also the interests of the Philippines and all its people that will bear the brunt, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's remarks came after Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has accused China of using the action against Filipinos to pressure the Philippines over its law enforcement operations against Chinese nationals. Teodoro said the actions against 100 Filipinos are "simple extortion and blackmail."
Noting foreign nationals in China should abide by Chinese laws and regulations, Guo said China's immigration authorities perform their duty in accordance with the law and protect the lawful rights and interests of the personnel concerned. The actions do not target any specific country.
It's learned that it was exactly this defense secretary who personally led the armed forces to seize and detain Chinese nationals lawfully working in the Philippines, Guo said.
"This person's consistent attacks and smears against China harm not only the bilateral relations. It is the interests of the Philippines and all its people that will bear the brunt," Guo added. ■
