# China slams Philippine defense secretary's claims on Chinese workers

https://mins.news/en/item/23792

- CGTN, 2026-08-16 09:22 UTC
- World
- Original: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-16/China-slams-Philippine-defense-secretary-s-claims-on-Chinese-workers-1PEEI80aCQw/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&UTM_Medium=rss&UTM_Campaign=World

> The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has rejected Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s allegations concerning Chinese workers at the Sanjia Steel Plant. Spokesperson Ji Lingpeng called the claims unfounded, accused the Philippine side of discriminatory enforcement, and questioned the detention of 70 Chinese workers despite a prosecution resolution ordering their release unless held for other lawful reasons.

## Related coverage

- [China slams Philippine defense chief’s claims about Chinese steel-plant workers](https://mins.news/en/item/23990) — CGTN, 2026-08-16
- [Philippine defence chief rejects China criticism, calls response a 'squid tactic'](https://mins.news/en/item/22864) — Reuters, 2026-08-15