With China's rising economic and political prowess, the world has simultaneously turned all eyes on the country. So how is China viewed in the rest of the world following its recent economic achievements? Pew Global Attitudes Project has recently conducted a public-opinion survey that asked citizens of 22 different countries that question and found that foreigners usually respond to China's emergence as one of the world powers in four different ways: they think that the country is neither friend nor foe; they feel threatened and alienated about the country's rise in power; they feel that China is more or less friendly; or they welcome China's rise in ranks in earnest. The survey has found that not all Western countries feel threatened by China and in fact those that hold derogatory views of the newly emerging world power are largely countries neighbouring China.

Middle Eastern Countries: China is Neither Friend nor Foe

In the 2010 public-opinion survey done by Pew Global Attitudes Project, results show that Middle Eastern countries are split half and half when it comes to what they think of China. Of the three countries in the Middle East surveyed (Lebanon, Jordon and Egypt), over half of those surveyed have expressed a favorable view of China, but another half has held a negative view of the country. Specifically, 56% of Lebanese hold a favorable view of the country while 42% think negatively of China; in Jordan, the percentages were 53% favorable and 46% negative; in Egypt, again about evenly split between 52% favorable and 43% negative.

The fact that the Middle Eastern countries’ opinions are more or less split evenly is largely due to China's lukewarm policies regarding conflicts in the region. Since establishing diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, China has always failed to back a stance regarding the ongoing political and religious disputes in the Middle East. Thus, it is understandable that these countries would also regard China as "neither friendly nor hostile".

When asked to choose between "a cooperative partner" and "an enemy", results show that Middle Eastern countries think of China as more of "a cooperative partner" rather than "an enemy". In Egypt, for example, 28% of the public regard China as a partner and only 15% think of the country as an enemy; in Lebanon, 35% think of China as a partner and 10% think of the country as an enemy; in Jordan, 47% of the public think China is a partner and 13% think of it was an enemy.

Middle Eastern countries also regard growing economic and military prowess of China with two entirely different attitudes. While most welcome recent economic developments in the country, many more are ever cautious about China's rising military might. 54% of Egyptians and Lebanese welcome China's recent economic growth; 71% of Jordanians agrees. At the same time, over half of those surveyed in the three countries are cautious about China's rise in military might (55% of Egyptians; 56% of Jordanians; and 59% of Lebanese).

Egypt's attitude towards China is of particular significance. Egypt is not only a Middle Eastern country but also an African and Arab country; it was the first African and Arab country to extend recognition to modern China and open up foreign relations with the country. However, ordinary citizens in Egypt have become more wary of the Chinese. Back in 2007, 65% of Egyptians liked China, and now in 2010, that percentage has gone down to 52%. The decline in favorable views has to do with two reasons: One, many Egyptians heavily rely on Western media as a source for learning about China and this in turn conditions them to be less than favorable of China. Two, as the Egyptian businessmen deal with their Chinese counterparts more frequently due to increased interaction and trade, they've encountered many cultural differences and problems; this has also contributed to their opinions.

 
China's rise in power has prompted prevalent feelings of a "Chinese threat" in the West.

Western European and Neighboring Countries: Wary of China

Chinese media like to regard all Western countries as one; they prevalently think that because the Western media has predominantly dished out dirt about China, then all Westerners must harbor anti-Sino feelings. In fact, survey results by Pew Global Attitudes Project have revealed a rather different scenario altogether. Not all Western countries are against China. Furthermore, many that do regard China in a less than favorable light are those countries lying geographically in proximity to the country.

Survey results show that two of the Western European countries and three countries neighboring China hold alienated views of the country. 59% of the French view China in a non-favourable light, while 41% hold favorable views of the country. Likewise, 61% of Germans feel negatively towards the country, while 30% thought of the country on friendly terms. Three of China's neighboring countries, namely South Korea, Japan and India, agree that the country is "an alienated neighbour". 56% South Koreans have negative feelings towards China and 38% thought of the country as "friendly"; 69% of Japanese held negative opinions, while only 26% viewed China as "friendly". In India, 52% felt negative and 34% thought of China as "friendly".

When considering history, these countries haven’t always held negative views of China. France and Germany both started out with great hopes for the country. But in time, these countries’ views have begun to shift. There are entirely different reasons for why the two groups of countries feel negatively towards China. While France and Germany aren't necessarily threatened by China because of any real conflict of interest, China's neighbouring countries rightly feel threatened by the country's rising economic and military might.

It is to be noted that all of the above countries have regarded China's rising military might as threatening, but differ in opinion when it comes to China's emerging economy. 87% of French and 73% of Germans are worried about the rising military might of China. Likewise, 64% of Indians, 86% of South Koreans and 88% of Japanese are worried about the prospect. On the other hand, 67% of French and 58% of Germans thought that China's emerging economy is less than favourable for their countries; this is the same for the Indians – 56% of them said that they are worried about China's economic development. On the other hand, 49% South Koreans regard China's emerging economy as a favourable challenge, 45% thought of it as an opportunity; likewise, 61% of Japanese also thought China's economic development as a "good thing" while only 29% thought of it as less than favourable for their country.

Another thing to note when contemplating the survey results is that many of those countries that have claimed negative views towards China's economic achievements are in fact unfounded in their fears – as China's economic boom has contributed favourably to global trade. For example, recovery of Germany's economy was largely due to its increased exports to China; India's economy had also been buoyed by its trades with China. Thus, it can be guessed from the unfounded but prevalent feeling of animosity that Germany, France and India are not in fact wary of the recent boom in the Chinese economy but by China's overall rise in influence and power.

US, Rest of European, Asian and Latin American Countries: China is More or Less a Friend

As it had been pointed out before, when it comes to attitudes toward China, Western countries are very much divided in their opinions. While it is true that two of the Western European countries don't particularly like China, many more feel that they do. For example, in US, UK, and Spain, more people have expressed a favorable opinion of the country than those that do not. 49% of Americans hold a favorable view of China while 36% are alienated toward the country; likewise, 47% of British thought favorably of China while 35% of them don't. In Spain, 47% of the public have a favorable view of China while 38% of them feel alienated. And when looking back at other public-opinion survey results that were done in the past few years, US and Western European countries had been most alienated with China in 2008, after the incident of the Olympic torch relay early that spring.

Contrary to popular belief, most Americans in fact do not think of China as "an alienated foe".  Over half (52%) of Americans surveyed feel that China is neither friend nor foe; 25% thought that China is partner and 17% thought that China is an enemy. Similar results can also be observed in Spain. In UK, 71% of Brits thought that China is neither partner nor enemy; 17% regard China as partner while 8% thought that China is an enemy.

Of the above countries, attitudes toward China's potential economic power and military might are also very much divided.  US and Western European countries generally feel worried about both China's economic boom and rising military might.  In America, 79% feel that China's rising military might and influence is something to be feared; 12% thought of the rise in China's power as a good thing; likewise in UK, 74% thought of China's rise in military power as worrisome; 11% thought otherwise. Russia is no different in their opinion of the matter; 71% of Russians are worried about China's increased military might, only 14% thought otherwise. When it comes to China's newly gained economic power, only the US and Spain had expressed concerns about the emerging economy in China. In the US, 47% thought that China's economic growth is a bad thing while 40% welcomed the phenomenon; likewise in Spain, 48% thought that China's rise in economic strength is not favorable while 36% thought it favorable. In UK, public opinions were slightly different – as 42% thought economic prowess of China as not favorable and 44% welcomed the phenomenon.

A propaganda poster about overcoming poverty. Foreign investments will prove instrumental in facilitating economic development in Africa.

Asian and African countries: China is a Protector

It is also obvious from the survey results that China is viewed more or less in a favorable light by many countries; it is even fair to say that some of them are enthusiastic about China's new role in the world. For some Asian and African countries, they welcome China's rise in power. For example, public opinion in Pakistan, Kenya and Nigeria prevalently welcomes China's increasing influence in the world. 85% of Pakistanis feel that China is a "friendly" country and only 3% thought differently; likewise, 86% Kenyans like China and only 10% thought otherwise; in Nigeria, 76% of the public like China and only 15% don’t like the country.

All of these countries regard China as a partner and not an enemy. 84% of Pakistanis thought of China as a partner and only 2% thought of the country as an enemy; likewise, 84% of Kenyans thought of China as a "friendly" partner and only 4% thought of the country with animosity.  Similarly, 75% of Nigerians thought of China as "friendly" and only 18% thought otherwise.

All of the above countries welcome China's new roles as an emerging world power. 79% of Pakistanis and 90% of Kenyans thought China's growing economic prowess to be "a good thing"; and only 5% of Pakistanis and 6% of Kenyans thought otherwise. 70% of Pakistanis, 66% of Kenyans and 64% of Nigerians welcome China's rising military power; only 7% of Pakistanis, 25% of Kenyans, and 20% of Nigerians thought otherwise.

Pakistan remains a stout supporter of China and has been very much admiring China's new developments. Chinese diplomatic relations with African countries have also transitioned into a new phase of affinity since the 1950s, as adoption of Openness Policy in China has facilitated trade and foreign relations between the two lands.

Country	% of Favourable View of China	% of Derogatory View of China	% of Neither Favorable nor Derogatory View of China
Mexico	39	31
Brazil	52	34
Argentine	45	28
France			70
Germany			55
Turkey	61	20
Russia	<60	29
India		44
South Korea		35
Japan	32	20	47
Indonesia	<58	37

 Proposals for Facilitating Better Affinity of China in the World

To summarize, most Middle Eastern countries and Poland predominantly regard China as neither friend nor foe. Two Western European countries and China's three neighbouring countries feel negatively towards China. And in order to alleviate or even reverse this "dislike", China needs to realize first that the Germany and France are put off by differences in ideology – their animosity are not founded in real conflicts of interest. As China continues to remain open to new ideas and explore values that are inherent for all humans, it can be hoped that the difference in ideology will gradually cease to be significant. And as for Japan, South Korea, and India, they feel alienated by the fact that China might pose as a potential threat to their interest – when in fact, China and its neighbours have largely the same goals about economic growth and can help facilitate these goals better through collaboration. But because of the close proximity, there is inevitably that feeling of distrust. While diplomacy has always been tentatively good amongst the neighboring countries, there is a fundamental lack of cultural exchange and better understanding amongst Chinese, Japanese, South Koreans, and Indians – how to better facilitate understanding and interaction would prove crucial to improving affinity with China's neighbouring countries. 

For US, Latin American countries and the rest of Europe, views about China have been so-so; it's not all bad, but it isn't all good either. Even though these countries generally held better affinity rather than animosity for China – supporters of the country have never numbered over 50%.  American and European media reports about China have generally been more negative than positive, and Latin American countries know too little about China and its people to develop a better feeling of affinity. If China can actively "correct" negative media portrayal in the West and help promote better understanding of the country and its people for the Latin American countries, this could perhaps help with fostering more "friendly" feelings in the region. Lastly, China should make a consistent and conscious effort to continue developing better and friendly relationships with those Asian and African countries that are already supporters of the country.   

Of course, in order to build a better image and facilitate affinity rather than animosity internationally, China will also need to grow and develop overall as a rising power and influence in the world. China needs to project itself as a country that embraces better ideals about democracy, freedom, greater love and equality. If China can continue to learn from inherent values of humanity and better facilitate understanding of Chinese culture, and if the rest of the world can observe that the Chinese people are truly living happier, healthier and freer lives, then China will most certainly be a country that will command much admiration and respect.

(Original writer of the article is a senior researcher at the Institute of East Asian Studies of National University of Singapore)
 

Related links
Watkins: China’s Rise at Our Demise?
A Hard Look at Confucius Institutes and China’s Soft Power
The New Immigration Wave out of China: A Sign of China’s Failure?

Source: bbs.huanqiu.com

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Keywords: global attitudes towards China china’s rise in power survey Pew Global Attitudes Project survey world opinion survey China