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Philippine Trust in China Has Hit 1-Year Low over Maritime Incidents

Ralph Jennings

   Sino-Philippine ties are showing signs of cooling since the two
   countries made friends in 2016, according to a recent survey on how
   much Filipinos trust their powerful Asian neighbor.

   Social Weather Stations, the Metro Manila research institution behind
   that survey, released new numbers last month saying people's trust had
   fallen to a one-year low. It found that 51% felt "little trust" and 27%
   placed "much trust" in China.

   The institution's surveys, seen as bellwethers of popular opinion,
   reflect a growing resentment of Beijing's pressure on the Philippines
   over contested claims in the South China Sea and perceptions that
   Chinese nationals have too much sway over the economy, Philippine
   citizens told Voice of America this week.

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