TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The number of Filipinos who trust Taiwan has risen to historic levels, according to a poll released Wednesday.
The Social Weather Stations survey determined Taiwan’s net trust rating to be +18, ranking behind only the US, Japan, and Australia, per CNA. These three countries are all Philippine security partners in the South China Sea, with troop access or visitation agreements.
In the survey, 42% of Filipinos expressed “much trust” in Taiwan, 24% “little trust,” and 31% were undecided. The result marked an increase from +13 in April, placing Taiwan in the “moderate” category.
The survey first measured trust in Taiwan in September 2013, when the score was -7. All subsequent polls have been positive, with June surpassing the previous high of +16 set in March 2024.
The poll did not explain the 2013 result, but that year the Philippine Coast Guard opened fire on the Taiwanese fishing boat Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28, killing crewman Hung Shih-cheng (洪石成). Taiwan responded with sanctions, straining ties, though Filipino views have steadily improved since.
Taiwan’s government and businesses have provided aid to vulnerable Filipinos, while around 200,000 Filipinos in Taiwan report being treated with respect. Tourist arrivals from the Philippines have also risen, leading Southeast Asia last year and in the first half of this year.
Filipinos trust the US the most, with a net score of +63 rated “very good,” followed by Japan at +43 and Australia at +37, both rated “good.” China ranked second to last at -20, better than -30 in April, but still considered “poor.”
Other countries in the survey were Mexico (+11), Israel (+7), Ukraine (-4), Russia (-2), Palestine (-13), and Iran (-23). Philippine Defense Department spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the results show Filipinos are “aware of the realities facing our country's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and sovereign rights," per the Philippine News Agency.
Net trust ratings are calculated by subtracting the percentage who express “little trust” from those who register “much trust.” The organization's classifications range from “excellent” with a score of +70 or higher and “execrable” for marks of -70 or lower.
The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults from June 25–29, with a margin of error of ±3%.
