Philippines assures OFWs in Taiwan of their safety after Chinese envoy’s comments

The Philippines says there’s no cause for alarm for more than 100,000 overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan, despite comments from China’s ambassador

Chinese envoy Huang Xilian implied the safety of Filipinos in Taiwan could be at risk due to Manila’s military ties to the US. Beijing insists Huang was ‘misquoted’

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The Philippines said there was no cause for alarm for more than 100,000 overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan, after China’s ambassador implied the workers’ safety could be at risk due to Manila’s military ties with the US. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 3:30pm, 18 Apr 2023

The Philippines has sought to reassure its citizens based in Taiwan that the situation in the self-ruled island is “normal” and they need not worry about their safety after Chinese envoy Huang Xilian’s comments caused a diplomatic stir.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) said the welfare and interests of the more than 100,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan were “well-protected” and there was no cause for alarm.

Meco, the Philippines’ de facto embassy in Taipei, was reacting to ambassador Huang who told a Manila forum last week that the United States’ expanded access to the Southeast nation’s military bases under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) could hurt the safety of Filipinos working in Taiwan.

I would be the first one to tell you if there is an emergency situation, but right now there is no tension

Silvestre Bello III, Meco chairman

“I would like to assure you that the condition of our OFWs here in Taiwan is very good. I would be the first one to tell you if there is an emergency situation, but right now there is no tension,” broadcaster ANC quoted Meco chief Silvestre Bello III as saying on Monday.

Bello said all our community members are “prepared for any exigency”, adding Beijing has no influence on the hiring of Filipino workers by Taipei.

He also said Taiwan – which China views as a breakaway province to be united with the mainland, by force if necessary – is planning to recruit more Filipino employees including teachers and farmers.

As the backlash against Huang’s remarks mounted in the Philippines, the Chinese embassy on Sunday said the diplomat was “misquoted” and released a transcript of his speech “to set the record straight”.