Philippines suspends e-visa issuance for Chinese tourists

It did not mention the reason for the suspension of e-visa operations in China, the Philippines News Agency reported.

Visa applicants in China are advised to contact the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate by visiting the government website for lodging their applications and for further inquiries, the department said.

Starting Aug. 24, Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines may either visit the website visa.e.gov.ph or download an app to apply for an electronic visa.

In September Philippines authorities said a 38-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter from China became the "first foreigners" to enter the Philippines under the country's very first electronic visa (e-visa) system.

China was the country's second largest tourism market in 2019, with 1.7 million Chinese nationals visiting in that year alone.

So far, the Philippines has recorded just over 130,000 Chinese visitors.