Global divergence in views towards China revealed by Pew report

New poll data from the Pew Research Center reveals a stark divide in global views towards China, particularly between high-income and middle-income countries. The survey of 35 nations highlighted that 15 out of 18 high-income countries expressed unfavorable opinions towards China, with Japan and Australia leading with over 80% negative views. In contrast, 14 out of 17 middle-income countries had more positive perceptions, with Thailand showing the most favorable view at 80%. The Indo-Pacific region, especially China's neighbors, displayed significant concerns over China's territorial disputes. The Philippines, South Korea, Japan, and Australia were among the countries most worried, with about 8 to 9 in 10 expressing concerns. These nations, along with India, were also less likely to view China as contributing to global peace and stability, with about 4 in 10 expressing concerns over territorial disputes. In the Asia-Pacific region, countries like Japan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and India held predominantly unfavorable views of China, while Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka exhibited more positive perspectives. Notably, Japan had the lowest confidence in Xi Jinping among the 35 countries surveyed, with 9 in 10 expressing little to no confidence in his handling of world affairs. The survey results also highlighted a global trend where high-income countries tended to view China more negatively compared to middle-income nations. In Africa and Latin America, all 10 countries surveyed had slightly more positive than negative views of China. The polling methodology included telephone, face-to-face, and online interviews, with margins of error ranging from 2.4 to 4.9 percentage points. The findings underscore the complex and varied perceptions of China on the global stage, particularly in the context of regional dynamics and geopolitical tensions.