Filipinos’ trust in China fall to bad in Q3

FILIPINOS’ trust in China fell to “bad” in the third quarter, while it remained “excellent” for the United States, according to a poll by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

China’s net trust rating fell 9 points to -33 in September from a quarter earlier, the lowest since it received a “bad” net trust rating of -35 in June last year, SWS said.

The US maintained its “excellent” net trust rating of +72, a point lower than in June, the polling firm said.

SWS said Japan and Australia maintained their “very good” trust ratings at +35 and +37, respectively.

Singapore got a “moderate” trust rating of +26, while Filipinos’ trust fell to “neutral” from “moderate” for Vietnam at 0, SWS said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has sought closer investment and trade ties with Beijing, including over resources in the disputed sea, since he became president in June 2016.

SWS interviewed 1,800 adults for the poll, which had an error margin of ±2.3 points. — NPA