China's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that it firmly opposes a statement from Manila concerning China's ethnic unity policy, describing the Philippine position as politically provocative. Beijing said the remarks were based on disinformation and smears and amounted to interference in China's internal affairs.
According to the ministry's response, China views the issue as a domestic matter and pushed back strongly against any outside criticism. The reaction signals that Beijing considers public comments from the Philippines on this topic to be unacceptable and tied to broader questions of sovereignty.
China's response also appeared to turn attention back on Manila by questioning the country's oversight of exchange programs with foreign links. That part of the reply suggests Beijing is not only rejecting the criticism itself but also challenging the Philippines over how such programs are supervised and what role outside influence may play.
The exchange adds to the sharp rhetoric that has marked China-Philippines relations on sensitive political issues. While the available report does not provide further details on Manila's original statement, Beijing's latest response makes clear that it intends to defend its ethnic unity policy forcefully and resist external scrutiny.