But first, China must win Filipino hearts and minds

PROMPTED by the Chinese slant in my column yesterday, somebody emailed me the results of a recent survey conducted by Associate Professor Elmer Soriano of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines on the perceptions of Filipinos on Covid-19. The survey involved 450 respondents that cut across a broad spectrum of professionals, 96 percent of whom boast college degrees such as journalism and education; a substantial participation of students has been noted.

Based on its stated objectives, the survey has had no intention of gauging any level of sentiments on the part of Filipinos vis-à-vis China, whether pro or anti. All the survey intended was to find out what language was used by the respondents in obtaining information about Covid-19, the impact of the pandemic on the daily lives of the respondents and the perceptions of the respondents on how the Philippines and other countries performed in addressing the crisis. Nonetheless, the results indicate that among the thinking sector of the populace, positive regard for China generally prevails.