Philippines suffers Chinese tourism setback with spying allegations

India seen as new source of visitors, but numbers still low

20250212N lunar new year

A Philippine shopping mall celebrates the Lunar New Year, but there are fewer Chinese tourists than before. (Photo by Yuki Fujita)

YUKI FUJITA

MANILA -- The Philippines is struggling to attract tourists from China, with recent arrests of Chinese nationals on espionage charges sapping momentum for easing visa requirements.

Late last month, Lunar New Year decorations were up throughout at an SM Group-owned megamall in Manila where families were taking pictures. But unlike previous years, there were noticeably fewer Chinese-speaking people.

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