Chinese news agencies mock anti-China protests

MANILA, Philippines - The "Global Day of Protest" against China's presence within the country's exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea did not impress the Chinese media, reporting there were fewer protesters than expected.

Chinese daily The Global Times that focuses on international issues criticized the protests in its editorial saying that other protests in Manila were louder and more packed.

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"The protest was not as crowded and sensational as the rallies several days ago in which thousands of protesters shouted their disapproval against the Philippine government and burned effigies of President Benigno Aquino III," the Times wrote Thursday.

The piece also speculated on the Filipinos' sentiments about the ongoing territorial dispute.

"It appears that most Filipinos understand that a radical confrontation with China on the South China Sea issue will be doomed to failure," it says.

Another report by China Daily, the most widely circulated English newspaper in China, said that only "a few hundred' gathered at the Chinese embassy last Wednesday, short of the 5,000 expected protestors.

"According to observers, the low turnout supports the view that the protests do not have popular support among ordinary people, who are more concerned about issues of welfare and quality of life," the report said, citing a Chinese correspondent in Manila.

A recent study by US-based think tank Pew Research Center noted that only two in every five Filipinos see China as an "enemy," but about 90 percent of the respondents believe the sea row is a "big problem."

Related: Global survey, 2 in 5 Filipinos see China as an 'enemy'

The China Daily added that there were more protesters demanding jobs, inclusive growth and protection of human rights during Aquino's State of the Nation Address last Monday.

The anti-China rallies caused the embassy in Manila to close as protestors hold banners asking Beijing to "stop bullying" and become a "responsible Asian leader."

Malacañang said Thursday that it did not call for such dissent, which were visibly led by former Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez and businessman Rafael Alunan III.