China says three Filipinos detained on spying suspicions

China has detained three Philippine nationals on suspicion of spying, the government and state media reported, as the countries’ relations deteriorate. The three were found to have handed over “sensitive material” about China to a Philippine contact, the official Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday, citing an anonymous official from China’s Ministry of State Security.

Xinhua reported that the three had confessed to the charges against them while the case remains under investigation. “China vows strict action against foreign espionage,” Xinhua said. The three could not immediately be reached for comment.

The arrests came after Filipino authorities recently apprehended several Chinese nationals suspected of carrying out espionage activities in the Philippines. Relations between China and the Philippines have taken a sharp downturn as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strengthens relations with the U.S., China’s main competitor.

China’s Foreign Ministry lashed out at the Philippines on Wednesday after Manila expressed concern over Chinese military exercises around Taiwan. “We urge certain people in the Philippines to refrain from making provocations and playing with fire on the Taiwan question,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.