# China slams Philippine defense chief’s claims about Chinese steel-plant workers

https://mins.news/en/item/23990

- 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=China

> China’s embassy in the Philippines rejected Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s allegations concerning Chinese workers at the Sanjia Steel Plant, accusing Philippine authorities of discriminatory and selective enforcement. It said prosecutors ordered all 70 workers released unless held for other lawful reasons, and questioned Teodoro’s continued accusations.

## Related coverage

- [China slams Philippine defense secretary's claims on Chinese workers](https://mins.news/en/item/23792) — 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
