Editor's note: The following article was translated and edited from a survey on netizens' "first impressions" of foreign countries conducted by the Global Times (Chinese edition). This article – the second of a two part series – covers Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil and South Africa.

5) Britain: The Declining Gentleman
Although it's already been 15 years since "the sun finally set on the British Empire" (when Hong Kong was returned to China), the first impression Chinese netizens have of Britain is still that of the Colonizer (8.6%). Related words such as Aggression, Pillage and Imperialism were also at the top, with 6.3%, 5.8% and 5.2% of the vote respectively. Interestingly enough, another "first impression" shares the top spot with Colonizer – and that word is none other than Decline, also collecting 8.6% of the vote.

Although its empire disappeared and the aristocracy ditched their castles, it seems that the impression of the British Gentleman (8.2%) still resonates deeply with Chinese netizens. But, maybe this Gentleman is not so gentlemanly after all – Hypocritical (7.7%) etiquette, reliance on Conservative (7.1%) conventions and being adept at Treachery (5.6%) also spring to mind when netizens think of Britain. In addition, the leftover remnants of the British Empire's political legacy and cultural heritage were not overlooked by the Chinese netizens. ConstitutionalMonarchy, PoundSterling, PrestigiousSchools and the treasure house of human civilization known as the British Museum all received about 4% of the vote. When compared to its glorious past, modern day British cultural symbols did not seem to leave much of a lasting impression on Chinese netizens with few exceptions such as Harry Potter(3.1%) and James Bond (2.6%) .

6) Germany: The Rigorous Engineer
By a large margin Chinese netizens' first impression of Germany is that it is Rigorous (13.0%). It's been said that Germans are more accurate than machines, not to mention the Chinese scholars that have called out for Chinese to be "as rigorous as the German people".  In addition to this, Chinese netizens also hold strong impressions about other national characteristics that describe the typical German – Diligent (7.4%), Disciplined (6.3%), Low Key (5.0%) and Rigid (4.0%). It's the meticulous attention to detail; common in many German industries that makes Germany an Advanced country (8.6%) responsible for many High Quality (6.8%) products in the eyes of many Chinese netizens. Take the German-built Car (8.2%) for example – it's synonymous with safe, reliable and elegant; or a typical German household appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, which are still highly sought-after in the global market.

Yet, despite the large proportion of (warranted) praise given by the Chinese netizens, the impression left by Germany's Nazi (7.5%) past is still quite prevalent. Although China was not directly affected by the Nazi movement, a majority of Chinese people have seen accounts of the atrocities that occurred in the concentration camps. Also well known to Chinese netizens is the Berlin Wall (4.5%), which went up after World War II and divided Germany into two, and subsequently fell in 1989. In addition, netizens also voted for tangible items, such as Beer (5.3%), Heavy Industry (5.2%), Football (3.7%), as well more intangible items, such as the Communist Manifesto (2.6%) and Philosophy (2.0%), all of which have changed the world to differing extents.

7) France: The Romantic
With any mention of France, many people naturally draw up images of fresh flowers, perfume, candlelit dinners and wine. Considered by many to have the most beautiful sounding language in the world, many visitors find that the romantic airs of the country are inescapable. As such, it is no big surprise that the biggest impression left by France on Chinese netizens is that it's Romantic (9.4%), tied by equally-not-surprising impression brought by it's Fashion (9.4%). And as seemingly all French clothing, entertainment and arts are equally deemed as Romantic; the demand for many French products has turned them into Luxury (5.9%) goods, largely sought after by countless women. But men too, it seems, cannot resist the temptation of some French productions – many have been known to spend ridiculous amounts of money just to enjoy a single bottle of French Wine (3.8%) from a good year.

The history of the architectural miracle known as the Eiffel Toweralso left a big impression on Chinese netizens, with 7.4% of the vote, and other famous tourist attractions, such as the Notre Dame de Paris(5.3%) and the Louvre (4.7%) collected a high number of votes as well. The respondents' impressions of the French national character were also quite interesting. Swanky received 7.2% of the votes, while Dissolute and Proud both grabbed more than 4.5% of the votes. Of course, Chinese netizens also have an impression of France's less-glamorous side – quite aware of France's Colonial (3.5%) history, when its grasp stretched across North America, Africa and Asia during the era of the French Empire (3.6%). But as these colonies became independent one by one, the Decline(3.0%) of the French Empire was also inevitable.

8) Italy: Crime and Beauty
It seems nothing in Italy left a greater lasting impression on Chinese Netizens than the classic story of the Corleone family from the movie "The Godfather", as Italy's most highly ranked term was none other than Mafia (9.6%). However, the callousness of this first impression did not completely cover up more brighter elements of Italy – not far behind, many Chinese netizens also had strong impressions of Italy's Fashion (8.7%) and of course, it's great Roman Empire (8.5%), not to mention the art, culture and prosperity of the Renaissance(5.7%) which began in the small town of Florence and spread to the rest of Europe.

Other similarly merry imagery, such as Romantic (6.4%), Dissolute (6.0%) were also highly voted. Likewise, Italian Football (6.4%), the sunsets of Venice (6.0%) and the un-duplicable quality of real Italian Luxury Goods (5.6%) all make up Netizens' overall-positive impression of Italy. And although the one-time great Colosseum (4.3%) has now become ruins, and the Roman Empire has long since Declined (3.5%), it seems that a century of Italian Art (3.5%), not to mention the Beauties (3.6%) bronzed by the sun of the Mediterranean, and of course the universally loved Pizza (2.6%) have all lead Chinese netizens to have an overall romantic impression of Italy.

9) Brazil: Full of passion... and problems
Brazil and South Africa are both BRICS members – an acronym for "Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa", are deemed to be at a similar stage of newly advanced economic development. On climate issues, as well as on the establishment of a new international political and economic order, Brazil and South Africa's positions are similar to China's.

Uninhibited Passion (10.3%) is the first impression of Brazil for many Chinese netizens, and it's no wonder – there's the radiant Samba (10.0%) dancing, the explosive Football (9.6%) team, the massive annual Carnival (7.5%) that's teeming with Latin Beauties (4.7%), not to mention its delicious Barbecue (4.7%) and the Tropical Rainforest (8.9%) – for many people, Brazilian life is the textbook definition of Uninhibited Passion. However, as with other developing countries, long-term problems with the rich-poor gap have plagued Brazil. And in South America, the twin brother of "poverty" is "drugs". As such, it's no surprise that Slums (4.8%) and Gangs (3.5%) also spring to mind when China's netizens think of Brazil.

10) South Africa: Treasures and Dangers
Best known to Chinese netizens as the producer of the world's finest Diamonds(15.1%), South Africa also has almost one-half of the world's Gold (7.8%) reserves, as well as a solid hold on the Ivory (7.3%) trade. It's no wonder with all of these treasures that South Africa is considered to be the Most Developed Country in Africa (8.0%). In addition to its natural resources, South Africa is home to another treasure, namely freedom fighter Nelson Mandela (7.2%), who shattered South Africa's history of Apartheid(4.2%) and devoted himself to founding a fair, non-discriminatory political system and social structure. These are the true cornerstones of South Africa's economic ascent.

But the impression China's netizens have of South Africa is not all positive. They're also quite aware of South Africa's so-called "two highs": the High Rate of HIV/AIDS (7.3%) and its High Crime Rate (6.5%). Other words like "Primitive" (5.2%) and "Polygamy" (3.9%) also scored votes. However, South Africa's splendid geography didn't go unnoticed by netizens with "Cape of Good Hope" (6.3%) and "Safari Park" (4.8%) all accruing votes.  
 

Source: world.huanqiu, opinion.huanqiu (original survey)
 

Related links
First Impressions: What Chinese Netizens Think of Other Countries (Part 1)
Top 10 Questions Foreigners Love to Ask Chinese
New Survey of Sino-Japanese Relations Shows a Lack of Love

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Keywords: Global Times survey Chinese Netizens impressions part 2 Chinese impressions of other countries