China’s global reputation has recovered from its pandemic lows, and international attitudes toward the nation and President Xi Jinping are rising as confidence in the United States wanes, a recent Pew Research Centre survey indicates.
The poll, released Wednesday, surveyed more than 45,000 respondents in 37 countries worldwide, encompassing diverse economies ranging from Argentina, Australia, France, Ghana, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Turkey to the United States.
“China’s perception was near historic lows in numerous nations during the COVID‑19 pandemic, but attitudes have risen steadily since then,” said Jonathan Schulman, a Pew Research Centre research associate, in a statement cited by the South China Morning Post. “In many regions, confidence in the United States has also declined, and the proportion of respondents who view the U.S. as a reliable partner has dropped sharply.”
Conducted between February and May via telephone, in‑person and online interviews, the survey captured a period when the United States grew increasingly involved in conflicts with Iran and other regional crises.
A striking finding is the reversal in relative perceptions: among the 20 nations surveyed consistently by Pew over time — all part of this year’s 37‑country study — China now enjoys a higher average favorability rating than the United States, with 46 % of respondents holding a positive view of China versus 36 % for the U.S.
In 2023, the United States had enjoyed a considerably more favorable image, with 54 % of respondents expressing a more positive view of the U.S. than of China, while only 19 % favored China.
