The Philippines canceled its 6-month visa policy with Chinese tourists before the Chinese New Year, with the aim of curbing the crime arising from casinos.

Instead of being granted a 6-month temporary tourist visa, which can be converted to a work visa, Chinese citizens are now only eligible for a 30-day, non-renewable and non-convertible visa. Under the new rules, visa applicants will need to submit flight details to and from proof of accommodation.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last week blamed foreign and illegal gambling operators for causing an unexpected increase in crime rates. Meanwhile, the gambling industry in the Philippines has grown primarily to serve customers from China, where gambling is illegal. Most employees in this industry are also migrant workers from China.

"This is a game for Chinese people, but gambling has consequences like corruption, increasing extortion and kidnapping rates," Duterte said. However, he did not call for a complete ban on gambling services. According to the President of the Philippines, they are "still useful to the country" for creating jobs and increasing government revenues.

The rise of the gambling industry has caused friction between the two countries. In August last year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Canh Sheng urged the Philippines to "ban online gambling". When President Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the same time, a Philippine President's spokesman said Xi had told Mr. Duterte that China would "appreciate" if Manila banned its gambling entirely.

President Xi explained, "gambling is illegal in China and most gamblers in the Philippines are Chinese nationals. In addition, many offenses also arise from gambling, such as laundering." money".