The Chinese embassy in Manila has made solemn representations to the Department of Foreign Affairs and related departments of the Philippines, urging measures to ensure the safety of lives and property of Chinese citizens in the Philippines, the embassy said Thursday.

Many Chinese close their shops in Manila for safety concerns following the news report that some Philippine non-governmental organizations plan to stage protests in front of the consulate of the Chinese embassy in Makati on May 11.

"The news about some Philippine non-governmental organizations planning to stage protests in front of the consulate of the Chinese embassy in Makati on May 11 has drawn great attention from the Chinese in and outside China," the embassy said in a statement.

"This has also caused concern from the Chinese citizens in the Philippines for their own safety," it added.

"We will continue to follow the situation very closely, timely release safety-related information and remind the overseas Chinese and Chinese students in the Philippines to be attentive to safety concerns," the statement said.

Filipinos around the world will organize simultaneous anti-China rallies on May 11 in front of Chinese embassies and consulates, marking a month since the standoff between the Chinese and Philippine law enforcement vessels in Huangyan Island area in South China Sea.

China on Thursday said it had noticed the resumption of diplomatic contact between the Philippine Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassy in Manila.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a routine press briefing that China has reaffirmed its stance to the Philippine side and requested the country respect China's sovereignty over Huangyan Island, urging the Philippines to refrain from actions that will escalate and complicate the tensions.

"We will closely follow the development of the situation and the actions taken by the Philippine side," said the spokesman.

(Xinhua contributed to the story)

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