China Denies Duterte Asylum Claims Amid ICC Arrest

China has denied receiving any asylum application from former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte or his family, dismissing claims as fabricated or motivated by ulterior intentions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun clarified that Duterte's recent visit to Hong Kong was merely a personal vacation and not related to any asylum requests. These statements were made in response to media reports suggesting Duterte sought refuge in China following an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest. The ICC warrant, issued on March 7, was based on charges related to Duterte's controversial 'war on drugs,' which allegedly resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. Duterte was subsequently arrested on March 11 upon his return to the Philippines. The Chinese government has urged the media to exercise caution and verify sources before endorsing such claims.