BEIJING, Dec. 12 -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Thursday urged the Philippines to properly deal with the detention of 78 Chinese nationals.

"The Chinese Embassy in Manila has launched an emergency mechanism," Hong said at a regular press conference.

The 78 Chinese nationals were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines on Wednesday afternoon in two shopping malls in Manila.

The embassy is trying to verify the information and has lodged representations to the Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines.

The Philippines said the check and detention does not only target Chinese nationals, but all illegal aliens, said Hong, adding that there are also citizens from other countries among the arrested.

Three of the arrested Chinese nationals have been temporarily released because of poor physical condition, while the rest of the people have been transferred to a location with better conditions, according to the Philippine side.

Hong said the Foreign Ministry and the Embassy in Manila will continue to follow the situation and urge the Philippines to properly handle the issue as soon as possible.