• China Seen More Favorably Than US, Russia •

22-Nation Poll Shows China Viewed Positively by Most Countries Including Its Asian Neighbors

• China’s Economic Growth Considered Positive • China Seen More Favorably Than US, Russia •

A new BBC World Service Poll of 22 countries finds that China is viewed as playing a significantly more positive role in the world than either the US or Russia, a role more on par with Britain. Asked about possible future trends, most are positive about China significantly increasing its economic power in the world but most are negative about China significantly increasing its military power.

The poll of 22,953 people was conducted for the BBC World Service by the international polling firm GlobeScan together with the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland. The 22-nation fieldwork was coordinated by GlobeScan and completed during December 2004 in most countries.

The survey shows that China is viewed as having a mainly positive influence in the world by a majority or plurality of citizens in 14 countries. On average across all countries polled (excluding China itself), almost half (48%) see China’s influence as positive and just 30 percent see it as negative, with another 22 percent being noncommittal. In only three countries does a plurality view Chinese influence as negative—Germany (47%), US (46%), and Poland (33%). In no country did a majority of the public have a negative view of China. Boding well for China’s future, young people (18-29) worldwide are much more prone to view China positively (58% on average).

Particularly striking is that even in neighboring Asian countries that have historically shown substantial suspicion of China, views are relatively benign. Most notable is India where 66 percent view China positively, despite decades of tensions and a history of border clashes. Positive views are also found in the Philippines (70%), Indonesia (68%), and Australia (56%). However South Korea is divided (49% positive, 47% negative). In Japan few say China is having a negative influence (22%), but also few say it is having a positive influence (25%), while 53 percent do not take a position one way or the other.

Though there has been much focus on the competitive threat from China’s enormous potential, China’s growing economic power is seen as positive in most countries. Asked if they think it would be positive or negative if China were to become “significantly more powerful economically than it is today,” in sixteen countries a majority (11 countries) or a plurality (5 countries) see it as positive. Strikingly, this positive view is found in some countries, such as Mexico (54%), whose manufacturing sectors face significant competition with China. On average 49 percent view it as positive and 33 percent as negative. In only four countries do a plurality see it as negative—Italy (47%), Spain (47%), Turkey (42%), and Argentina (41%). Views are evenly divided in two countries—the US and Germany.

Economic power aside, most citizens around the world do not want to see Chinese military power grow. Asked how they would feel if “China becomes significantly more powerful militarily than it is today,” in seventeen countries more said that it would be negative. On average, 59 percent said it would be negative and just 24 percent positive.

The countries most concerned about the potential growth of Chinese military power are Germany (87%), Australia (79%), Japan (78%), Spain (76%), the US (75%), and Italy (74%). Interestingly, the one country in which a majority viewed increased Chinese military power positively was China’s neighbor India (56%). The Lebanese also leaned positively (44% to 27%). South Africans and Filipinos were evenly divided.

Most citizens in the EU nations polled have a negative view of increasing Chinese military power (Germany 87% “negative,” Spain 74%, Italy 74%, Britain 65%, Poland 65%, France 64%). This is an interesting finding, given that the European Union is currently considering lifting its post-Tiananmen Square embargo on the sale of arms and arms technology to China.

China is viewed much more positively than two other major powers, the US and Russia, which are viewed quite negatively. Russia is viewed as having a negative influence in the world by citizens of fourteen countries and a positive influence in just five, with an average across all countries of 36 percent viewing it positively and 40 percent negatively. The US is also viewed negatively in fifteen countries and positively in just six, with an average of 38 percent viewing it positively and 47 percent negatively. Indeed, China is viewed nearly as positively as Britain by citizens polled worldwide—on average 50 percent view Britain as having a positive influence as compared to 48 percent for China.

Steven Kull, director of PIPA comments, “It is quite remarkable that with its growing economic power China is viewed as so benign, especially by its Asian neighbors that it could threaten or seek to dominate. However, this cordial view from around the world does appear to depend on China restraining itself from seeking to convert its burgeoning economic power into a threatening military presence.”

Doug Miller, President of GlobeScan comments, “China clearly has the respect of the world because of its exceptional economic achievements, and most people seem to hope for its continued economic success. However, with military approaches generally unsupported in today’s world, citizens worldwide are hoping China will pursue a soft power route to world influence."

Regional and Demographic Variations

While, as mentioned, large majorities in some key Asian countries view China’s current influence as positive—India (66%), Indonesia (68%), the Philippines (70%)—others were more mixed. South Koreans are divided (49% positive, 47% negative), as are the Japanese (22% positive, 25% negative, 53% undecided), while a majority of Australians (56% to 28%) viewed China positively.

Europeans show more mixed feelings. Positive views are expressed by pluralities in France (49%), Britain (46%), and Russia (42%), while pluralities show negative views in Germany (47%) and Poland (33%). Divided views are expressed in Italy, Spain, and Turkey.

North Americans are also mixed. A plurality of Americans express negative views of China’s influence (46%), while more Canadians express positive views (49%). Mexicans are divided (33% positive, 28% negative, and 40% undecided).

Latin Americans show fairly positive feelings. Majorities in Chile (56%) and Brazil (53%) have positive views, while a plurality of Argentines (44%) do so as well.

In the one Arab country polled—Lebanon—a very large majority was positive (74%), as was a large majority (62%) in the one African country polled—South Africa.

Worldwide, young people are much more prone to view China as benign. Among those 18-29 years old, a robust 58 percent view China positively, while this true of only 43 percent of those over 60. Those with lower levels of education are less apt to view China positively (45%) than are those with medium (51%) or high levels of education (52%). Interestingly, men are more trusting of China (53%) than are women (47%).

the world's opinions about china

the detailed chart of the poll

That was in December 2004, so it may be a little different now.

And the choice of countries is a little strange, why ignore so many European countries and include Lebanon?

PS: although it is easy to find copies of that article, you should provide a source.

These polls are not gathered using scientific accurate methods.

Its the first thing our professor taught us about in Sociology courses.

This is nothing but propaganda and not representitive of a real sample.


Come on 22,000+ people spanning several countries! HILARIOUS! Not only is it not representative of 22 countries but that number is small even in terms of individual states within the US.

Pure poop!

it was done by bbc,a western country organization.and include a lot of euorpean countries,just because britain is in europe,and a big portion of them are western countries,almost included all major western countries actually.if put more developing countries in the poll,china could have a far more better score.

This is nothing but propaganda and not representitive of a real sample.

funny to hear bbc is a chinese propaganda machine,nice joke anyway.and not only this one,many polls show people think america is the biggest threat to world peace.

news.bbc.co.uk...
www.twf.org...
timesofindia.indiatimes.com...
........
......
[edit on 26-8-2008 by haidian]

[edit on 26-8-2008 by haidian]

Originally posted by haidian
it was done by bbc,a western country organization.

It was not done by the BBC, it was done for the BBC by:

GlobeScan together with the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland

Source

and include a lot of euorpean countries,just because britain is in europe,and a big portion of them are western countries,almost included all major western countries actually.

I agree, the richest countries from the EU, for example, were included, as were countries from the G8 along with other big countries like Brazil and Argentina, but why Lebanon? That is what I find most strange in this poll.

if put more developing countries in the poll,china could have a far more better score.

Maybe, maybe not, there is no way of knowing what they would have answered, and even if we see a newer poll with those countries it would not be the same as it was 3 1/2 years ago.

Speaking of answers, I noticed that the questionnaire did not include other countries, so I think that part of the article that says that "China is viewed much more positively than two other major powers, the US and Russia, which are viewed quite negatively." is a little strange, considering the questions used.

Questionnaire
1. Please tell me if you think each of the following are having a mainly positive or mainly negative influence in the world:
      a. China

2. For each of the following possible future trends, please tell me if you would see it as mainly positive or mainly negative:
      a. China becomes significantly more powerful economically than it is today.
      b. China becomes significantly more powerful militarily than it is today.

Source (at the bottom of the page).

If this was what was asked to the those that answer the poll how can they compare China with other countries? Are they comparing it with other poll?

Originally posted by haidian

This is nothing but propaganda and not representitive of a real sample.

funny to hear bbc is a chinese propaganda machine,nice joke anyway.and not only this one,many polls show people think america is the biggest threat to world peace.

news.bbc.co.uk...
www.twf.org...
timesofindia.indiatimes.com...
........
......
[edit on 26-8-2008 by haidian]

[edit on 26-8-2008 by haidian]

Where did I say it was Chinese propaganda?

Again, putting words into my mouth. You and Chinawhite are operating quite the campaign on here.

Anyone that has studied the smallest amount of social issues knows that a very small amount of companies do polling properly.

Polling about 1000 people from each country is extremely inaccurate, especially since many have major population and economic differences that are seldomly taken into account. Regional differences are also another major factor left out 90% of the time.

A poll like this, to be done in a correct manner, would require millions (in its entirety) to be even anywhere near accurate.

The data you provided is also EXTREMELY dated. There's almost been 4 years from the date this was done. People are now far more aware of Tibet than they ever were.

I think the world just about showed how it felt about China when it held MASS protest all over. There's a reason China spent so much on security, and its not solely because of potential terrorism.


Ill give you a perfect example..... Ask America what they thought of their country 4 years ago and you'd have a much higher satisfaction rate than we would have now. The same goes for other countries which are currently also feeling an economic crunch.

Why is Japan at the bottom?

Japan invests large sums into foreign markets, one would think that people would be appreciative of the fact that more jobs and money will flow into their country.

Why is the Philippines near the top?

Is it because that a large part of their population tends to immigrate and form the nurse, doorman, maid services for wealthier countries?

As for China, I view the Chinese as benign for the time being. The Chinese aren't building a super powerful nuclear force, their military is mostly for a more regional projection of power, their focus is more for a peaceful rise to being a superpower, and their economy is largely a creation of the United States. A powerful and stable China brings more trade and prosperity so long as energy resources will allow.

They do have a lot of flaws but who doesn't. I really hate their government with all their censorship and political repression. But, the U.S. has gone through things just as bad so it would be reasonable to accept China's growing pains.

Global poll shows wide distrust of United States

link www.iht.com...

reply to post by haidian


This page is better to show how people saw the US and China in that 2007 poll.

I haven't read it all, but I thought I should post it.

How the World Sees China
by Andrew Kohut, President, Pew Research Center
December 11, 2007

pewresearch.org...




[edit on 29-8-2008 by haidian]