Survey Results Show Shift in Public Sentiment
The Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey conducted by the Pew Research Center reports that 40 percent of Filipinos hold a favorable view of China. This figure marks an increase from the 34 percent recorded in the 2024 survey.
The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan organization that has carried out opinion research for more than two decades and is widely regarded as rigorous and independent of political advocacy. The latest Philippine survey involved face-to-face interviews with 1,000 adults and forms part of a broader international study covering dozens of countries.
Despite the intensity of anti-China rhetoric currently circulating in the Philippines, a substantial portion of the public has formed an opinion that runs counter to the dominant narrative. Key public figures, including Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., Philippine Coast Guard Commo. Jay Tarriela, and former Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio, have consistently highlighted tensions in the disputed maritime area.
Incidents at sea have received extensive coverage and have been presented as evidence of Chinese aggression. However, the survey results show that efforts to highlight these tensions have not produced wide acceptance of a purely negative assessment of China among the public.
Economic Ties and Geopolitical Nuance
Favorable responses toward China are linked to alternative accounts and counter narratives that offer different frames for understanding China, reaching audiences not fully converted by official anti-China rhetoric. Those expressing a favorable view weigh economic relationships and wider geopolitical factors, viewing the maritime issue as not an absolute or zero-sum consideration.
Political Backlash and Legal Tactics
The release of Pew findings is likely to intensify existing anti-China efforts, with organizations and individuals potentially increasing the frequency and range of their activities. Methods employed by those seeking to limit alternative viewpoints include the use of derogatory labels, personal attacks, and legal actions such as the raid on Philippine Sanjia-Steel Corp. in Misamis Oriental and arrests described as Chinese spies.
These legal cases remain unresolved and have not delivered decisive results. Rafael P. Tuvera is a lawyer who taught law and political science and analyzes geopolitics and diplomatic strategy with an emphasis on productive approaches with legal and historical context.