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Wow China? Here's what Filipinos are saying about Philippine gov't radio promoting China

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ABS-CBN News

<div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=242082763545565&amp;external_log_id=db6d5970bf626102b7d62ea78922f16f" data-width="auto"> </div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE)</strong> - A segment promoting China in the Philippines’ government AM radio station is making the rounds online, with some questioning the airing of the show amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.</p><p>“Wow China,” according to its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/WowChinaMagkapatidTsinaatPilipinas/about/?ref=page_internal">Facebook page</a>, is a “cultural-feature program that mainly focuses on China’s and Philippines’ tradition, culture and history and its differences and similarities.”</p><p>It airs on state-owned Radyo Pilipinas, the flagship AM radio station of the Philippine Broadcasting Service, which is under the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).</p><p>The segment is a collaboration between PBS and China Radio International, China’s state-owned international radio broadcaster.</p><p>&#x27;Wow China&#x27; is introduced as an interesting discussion of Chinese culture, traditions and practices.</p><p>Episodes of the show have been posted on Wow China’s Facebook page as early as December 14, 2019, but it was the May 10 episode that caught netizens’ attention.</p><p>In the latest episode, the hosts talked a little about how to celebrate Mother’s Day during the lockdown in Metro Manila and nearby provinces and cities.</p><p>There was also a Chinese language lesson on numbers.</p><p>Facebook users expressed dismay at the airing of the &#x27;Wow China&#x27; show on Philippine state radio.</p><p>Some said the government should use its resources to prioritize and promote Filipino culture instead.</p><p>Others also said the government should focus on COVID-19 response and providing people with proper information.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/05/11/1_1.jpg"/></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/05/11/2_1.jpg"/></figure></div><p>In a statement released Tuesday, PBS said the hour-long Wow China segment discusses the traditions, culture and history of both China and the Philippines in a light and informative matter.</p><p>&quot;Co-hosted by a PBS anchor and broadcast in Filipino, the show features the traditions, culture, and history of both the Philippines and China; as well as the differences and similarities between the two countries. Its format is light, informative, and entertaining; in no way whatsoever does it espouse or promote a particular political view or cause,&quot; it said.</p><p>PBS also said it will continue disseminating relevant news and information to the public.</p><p>The PCOO earlier defended the planned airing of Tagalog-dubbed Chinese shows and movies over state-run television network PTV, saying these are informative and entertaining.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/11/18/pcoo-defends-airing-of-chinese-shows-on-state-run-station">PCOO defends airing of Chinese shows on state-run station</a></li></ul><p>The current administration has forged friendlier relations with China despite the lingering disputes between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea.</p><p>A Social Weather Stations survey conducted among adult Filipinos in September last year resulted in a -33 percent net trust for China. The United States, a former colonizer and the traditional ally of the Philippines, got a +72 net trust rating. </p>

<p>Some said the government should use its resources to prioritize and promote Filipino culture instead.</p>

Some said the government should use its resources to prioritize and promote Filipino culture instead.