04-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippines dismisses ‘absurd' Chinese online claims about Palawan
The spotlight on Philippine social media has turned to Palawan amid growing chatter by Chinese internet users claiming that the island is part of China, prompting officials in Manila to refute the allegations as 'delusional' and part of a 'propaganda' push.
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Filipino social media users were outraged by posts on platforms such as Douyin and RedNote, circulating since January, that claimed Palawan – located in western Philippines – was originally called Zheng He Island, named after the famous Chinese explorer.
Other Chinese social media users falsely claimed that Palawan's name had been 'restored' by their government to Zheng He Island last month.
One content creator named Travel Brother on Chinese social media platform Douyin has racked up nearly 14,000 likes for his video in which he claimed: 'Historically, Palawan Island belongs to China. The reason we lost it is because of our lack of strength.'
China has not staked a claim on Palawan, which is more than 1,500km from its nearest territory.
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Dismissing the claims of the Chinese internet users, an X account called BRP Sierra Madre posted: 'Let's be clear: Palawan has been, is, and will always be part of
the Philippines . It is not disputed. It is not up for debate. It is internationally recognised as sovereign Philippine territory – something even Beijing's aggressive cartography can't change.'
