InfinitUs exec Paul Li admits doing PR work for Chinese embassy
InfinitUs co-founder and chief executive officer Paul Li faces Senate probe on alleged deal with Chinese embassy in Manila. | PHOTO: Screenshot from Senate’s official YouTube channel
MANILA, Philippines— InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. admitted at a Senate hearing on Monday that it worked as a public relations (PR) firm for the Chinese embassy in Manila.
InfinitUs co-founder and chief executive officer, Paul Li, detailed the company’s dealing with the embassy at the resumption of the Senate special committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones investigation into China’s alleged spying activities in the Philippines.
Paul Li is the same Pin Li listed as one of the five incorporators of the company based in Makati City.
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According to Li, InfinitUs hosted the Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) at the Manila Hotel on June 8, 2023, which was attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and some Cabinet officials.
“You were hired by the Chinese embassy?” panel chairman, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, asked.
“Yes, we’re the PR company for the Chinese embassy,” Li answered.
This came about after Tolentino asked about the check that the Chinese embassy paid to InfinitUs on September 11, 2023 supposedly to discredit the Philippine government and anti-Beijing lawmakers.
Check and service agreement
A copy of the check and a service agreement between the two were first exposed by the senator during last week’s hearing of the committee.
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Li confirmed the existence of the check but explained that it was the embassy’s additional payment for other expenses incurred during the June 8 event.
When presented a sales order during the hearing, Tolentino asked why the firm had to purchase Covid-19 antigen kits for the event such as face masks and face shields when the pandemic already ended even before the June APPCU.
“I think either you’re trying to confuse this committee or lying upfront, outright. Sir, I’m sorry, the committee will not be accepting these documents,” the senator said.
Li said the Covid test was requested by the President’s office to make sure those attending the event was safe.
In his opening statement, Li denied that their company has engaged in any unlawful activities such as spreading disinformation supposedly to influence the upcoming elections.
“I’m just a regular businessman. I’m not connected to politics in anyway. But this issue has already affected our business. I’m speaking today simply to protect the name of our company and to preserve the trust of our client and employees,” he said.
He also categorically denied allegations they were contracted by China to spread its false narratives.
“The supposed contract shown is not known to us, was never authorized by us,” Li said.
