China has dismissed reports claiming that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sought asylum in the country before his recent arrest. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China has not received any asylum application from Duterte or his family.
“Duterte’s visit to Hong Kong was a private vacation,” Guo said during a daily press briefing. He added that the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has issued an official response, and relevant Philippine parties have also commented on the matter.
The spokesperson refuted the allegations from “so-called informed sources,” labeling them as fabricated or motivated by ulterior intentions. He urged media outlets to verify information before publishing and to avoid spreading unsubstantiated claims.
Duterte was detained on March 11 upon returning to Manila after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant over his controversial “war on drugs” campaign—a move he has openly questioned.
