Actions taken against illegal work, residence

China's immigration authorities have taken law-based actions against over 100 Philippine nationals for illegal employment or illegal residence in China, as part of efforts to step up supervision over such violations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday.

Guo made the remarks at a daily news briefing, responding to a question on whether the move could be interpreted as China's response to the Philippines' frequent detention of Chinese nationals.

"China's national immigration authorities have consistently stepped up supervision over foreigners who illegally enter, reside or work in China, and have carried out special operations in accordance with the law," Guo said, suggesting that the Philippine nationals were part of these operations.

He stressed that during the special operations, immigration staff acted in a standard and civil manner, and ensured the protection of the rights and interests of the foreign nationals concerned.

In the first half of this year, China's immigration authorities investigated and repatriated 11,900 foreigners for illegal entry, residence or employment, according to the National Immigration Administration.

In another development, Guo reaffirmed that Zangnan, the southern part of the Xizang autonomous region, is China's territory and refused to recognize the so-called "Arunachal Pradesh" illegally established by India.

The comment came after India reportedly published "standard names" for 27 locations in "Arunachal Pradesh" on Aug 7.

Guo said India's move of attempting to replace names that have long been used by China with its so-called "standard names" is illegal, null and void.

"Still less will it change the fact that Zangnan region belongs to China," he added.

jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn