MANILA, Philippines — The majority of Filipinos distrust China primarily due to the perception of Beijing’s continued harassment of Filipino personnel and fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea and its sweeping claims in the disputed waters, according to an Octa Research survey.
Results of the survey released on Wednesday showed that nearly two-thirds, or 64 percent, of Filipinos believe the Philippines should “somewhat distrust” or “strongly distrust China” — up by nine percentage points from the 55 percent who expressed distrust in March.
By comparison, only 14 percent expressed trust in China, while 21 percent remained undecided.
The survey was conducted from July 4 to 11, coinciding with the Philippines’ commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea.
The latest findings break the downward trend that had persisted since the 95-percent peak distrust in China recorded in 2024.
Filipinos’ confidence in Beijing eased to 85 percent in July 2025, then fell to 60 percent in December 2025 and 55 percent in March 2026.
Octa Research, however, noted that Filipinos’ trust in China has remained low.
The latest survey showed that distrust is increasing and ambivalence is declining, “indicating that many previously undecided Filipinos have adopted a more skeptical view of China.”
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The survey also noted that the majority of Filipinos expressed distrust in China across all four major geographical areas: 67 percent in Balance Luzon, 63 percent in the Visayas, 62 percent in Mindanao, and 59 percent in the National Capital Region.
Regional differences remained substantial, ranging from a high of 94 percent distrust in Mimaropa to a low of 47 percent in Central Visayas.
Here is the percentage of respondents who “strongly distrust” or “somewhat distrust” China per region:
- Mimaropa – 94 percent
- Caraga – 88 percent
- Ilocos Region – 75 percent
- Eastern Visayas – 75 percent
- Central Luzon – 73 percent
- Western Visayas – 72 percent
- Cagayan Valley – 68 percent
- Zamboanga Peninsula – 67 percent
- Negros Island – 65 percent
- Davao Region – 64 percent
- Bicol Region – 62 percent
- NCR – 59 percent
- Calabarzon – 58 percent
- BARMM – 54 percent
- Northern Mindanao – 53 percent
- Soccsksargen – 53 percent
- Cordillera Administrative Region – 52 percent
- Central Visayas – 47 percent
Octa Research also noted that the earlier decline in distrust is “largely accompanied by growing ambivalence rather than increasing trust.”
Distrust in China is also widespread across all socioeconomic classes: 67 percent among Class E, 66 percent among Class ABC, and 63 percent among Class D.
By age group, distrust toward China is highest among Filipinos aged 18 to 24, at 73 percent, followed by those aged 65 to 74 and those aged 75 and above, both at 70 percent.
Distrust is also high among respondents aged 55 to 64, at 69 percent.
The lowest level was recorded among those aged 25 to 34 — comprising the youngest millennials and oldest Gen Zs — at 47 percent, the only age group in which distrust fell below a majority.
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According to Octa Research, the latest survey showed that Filipino public opinion toward China remains highly responsive when the West Philippine Sea becomes the focus of sustained national attention.
During the survey period, government transparency initiatives, civil society advocacy, and sustained media coverage collectively kept the West Philippine Sea at the center of public discourse.
“While the survey does not establish causality, the findings are consistent with the view that heightened public attention to the West Philippine Sea coincided with a significant increase in distrust toward China,” Octa Research said.
The survey asked respondents how much trust the Philippines should place in China. It was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents nationwide aged 18 and older.
It has a ±3 percent margin of error at a 95-percent confidence level. /mcm
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