A new commentary by Rommel C. Banlaoi, director of the Philippines-China Studies Center, published in Eurasian Review, examines the dual nature of Filipino public opinion toward China — an assertive China seen as a “security threat” in the South China Sea, and an everyday presence woven into daily life through smartphones, electric vehicles, apps, dramas, and cuisine.

Chinatown in Manila, Philippines

Banlaoi notes that while some Filipinos have concerns over maritime issues, the appeal of Chinese culture, technology, and people-to-people exchanges remains strong across Philippine society. He cites Filipino scholars Pernia and Rye, whose research finds that distrust of China is driven primarily by national-level territorial disputes, whereas attitudes toward Chinese nationals are shaped more by local social and cultural contact.

This gap is especially pronounced among younger Filipinos. A 2026 Pew survey cited in the piece shows that under-30 respondents hold significantly more favorable views of China than older cohorts — openness attributed to cultural and technological exposure.

Anna Malindog-Uy, deputy director of the Asian Century Strategic Studies Institute, has previously argued that the Marcos administration has used the South China Sea issue to stoke nationalist sentiment, particularly during maritime friction. She contends that bilateral ties should not be defined solely by the maritime dispute but by cooperation in economics, culture, and education.

Banlaoi calls on Manila to restore the suspended Annual Defense and Security Talks, retain the Bilateral Consultative Mechanism, and establish crisis communication hotlines. Dialogue, he argues, will not resolve disputes overnight but can build incremental trust and prevent maritime incidents from escalating into conflict. He also urges expanded cooperation in non-traditional security areas — disaster response, maritime safety, anti-piracy, and counterterrorism.

"The Philippines cannot afford to let distrust alone define its relationship with China," Banlaoi writes. If Washington can talk to Beijing, he argues, Manila has even stronger grounds to do so — charting a course that safeguards national interests while preserving regional stability.