Chinese influx in Metro Manila inflates rents, driving out locals and adding to racial tension

Celine Calma is worried about the influx of Chinese nationals in the Philippine capital, Manila, where they are pushing up rents and other costs, forcing locals out and inflaming racial hostility.

“It started as early as three years ago,” says the twenty-something marketing professional who works for a local bank. “More Chinese are living in Manila, mostly in Metro Manila condominiums. I’ve heard that the condominium rents have risen by an outrageous amount because mainland Chinese are willing to pay more and in cash. One of my friends was charged US$300 more for rent recently.”

Calma’s concerns are widespread in the city, where dismay about a rapid surge of Chinese immigrants, including many employees of Chinese offshore gambling operations, can easily cross the line into outright xenophobia.

Karl Ocampo, 25, an operations associate at a logistics company in the city, says that while he doesn’t really mind that Chinese nationals can and will pay higher rent than Filipinos, he works in a building with many Chinese employees of one of the gambling operations and he dislikes what he sees as their rudeness and their failure to follow rules that are for the good of everyone.

“I hate how they block the driveways and how we have to wait for several minutes just for them to clear the driveways,” he says. “I also hate that they smoke inside the building, even when there are notices saying smoking is prohibited. My colleagues and I can smell smoke every day.”

Ocampo says he also resents the way Chinese nationals litter the area. “They prefer throwing things on the ground even when trash bins are near them. Their personal hygiene is a big issue for me since we can smell that they do not take a shower for days. More than that, they always spit on the floor, which could spread germs and viruses within our area.”