China is now viewed more positively than the United States in many countries worldwide, according to a new study by Pew Research Center, the first time the organisation has recorded that pattern at that scale.

The non-partisan, US-based think tank found favourable opinions of China have reached record highs in multiple countries, while perceptions of the United States have weakened. Pew said respondents also showed low confidence in both US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, though Xi was rated more positively than Trump.

Global views shift

Pew surveyed more than 42,000 people across 36 countries between February and May. Participants were asked whether they had a very favourable, somewhat favourable, somewhat unfavourable or very unfavourable view of each superpower.

Across the 36 countries, Pew reported that in 25 nations there were more respondents with favourable views of China than of the US. The centre said this marked the first time it had seen such a result across so many countries since it began tracking global sentiments towards the two powers in 2002.

Pew research director Jonathan Schulman said the organisation previously recorded dips in positive views of the United States, including in 2008 at the end of George Bush’s presidency and in 2017 at the start of Trump’s first term. Even during those declines, favourable views of China were generally similar to, or slightly below, those of the US, Schulman told the BBC.

In this year’s survey, major swings towards China were reported in Spain, Indonesia, Italy, Greece and Canada. Only six countries still preferred the United States more: Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan and Israel, which are described as staunch US allies.

Pew also found that median favourable views followed different trajectories in its wider dataset. The median favourable opinion of the US across 20 countries fell steadily in recent years, while the median favourable opinion of China rose. Pew said favourable views of China increased in more than a third of the countries surveyed in recent years, based on an expanded dataset that included the United States.

The study also pointed to record highs for China in several places, including Italy, Spain, Colombia, Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey.

Allies still back US

Pew said the pattern of attitudes often differed by country income level. Middle-income countries tended to hold more positive views of China, while wealthier countries were more likely to have negative views. One exception was Singapore, where Pew recorded both a high GDP per capita and a high level of positivity towards China.

In Asia-Pacific, Pew reported especially sharp contrasts. It said about 90% of respondents in Pakistan appeared to favour China, compared with 11% in Japan.

Confidence in Xi and Trump

Pew’s survey also asked respondents about confidence in Xi and Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs. Overall, confidence scores were low for both leaders, with most countries recording results below 50%. Many countries, however, expressed more confidence in Xi than in Trump.

For Xi, Pew reported the highest rating was in Pakistan at 83% and the lowest was in Japan at 7%. For Trump, the highest confidence rating was in the Philippines at 68% and the lowest was 4% in the West Bank/East Jerusalem.

Schulman said the survey suggested people did not have as firm a view of Xi as they did of other political leaders, while respondents were more likely to give answers at the extremes when rating Trump.

Pew also found that while more people believed the US government respected personal freedoms more than China’s government did, the gap had narrowed. When asked about foreign policy, Pew said China was viewed as interfering less than the US in the affairs of other countries.

Foreign policy assessments

In additional questions Pew asked in several middle-income countries, a median of 75% said the US interfered in other countries’ affairs a great deal or a fair amount, while 45% said the same of China.

Similar studies by other groups have produced related but not identical results. Gallup reported last year that China surpassed the US in global approval ratings, with the widest gap in China’s favour recorded in 20 years. Separately, the Asia Society’s Global Public Opinion on China survey said China’s image, which dipped during the pandemic, had made only a modest recovery.

Carnegie China scholar Chong Ja Ian said Pew’s findings were consistent with expectations, citing what he described as the volatility of US policy and its economic effects, and saying that China can appear more predictable. He added that while people may not necessarily hold strong confidence in Xi personally, they can still show more positive views of China overall.

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16 July 2026

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It's not that China is so good, it's that Trump regime America is so bad.

Another USA own goal and sign of empire suicide.

Means nothing. Just opinions.

18 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Means nothing. Just opinions.

Means a lot actually.

Soft power is how the USA has dominated so much.

That's slipping away. FAST.

The cost to the American people will be momentous.

Yes we all know who is to blame for this.

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Means a lot actually.

Soft power is how the USA has dominated so much.

That's slipping away. FAST.

The cost to the American people will be momentous.

Yes we all know who is to blame for this.

Means nothing. Just random opinions.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

China is now viewed more positively than the United States in many countries worldwide

It is not only countries; I am a person, not a country; I now favor China over the United States, if one is the speaking of the US as a monolithic whole.

But, I favor Old Lyme, CT, by far, over China.

China is a dump, compared to the best villages in New England.

However: One thing I cannot tolerate is the mixing of skin color like you see in the USA, which is becoming not just a melting pot, but a multi-colored stew.

This is why I will always choose China.

My advice: Chose just ONE skin color, and then abide by it. Do not mix skin colors unless you want a riot on your hands.

So, China is good, and great for me.

New England, if I want white skin, of course, is not bad.

I am sure that most people, if you really asked them, would agree that, some people like:

Dark Meat

And others like White Meat.

Some like a bit of breast meat on Thanksgiving, plus a leg.

I see nothing wrong with having preferences.

So, as I say, when I am in China, I like only Chinese.

But, when I am in New England, I like only white meat.

Bottom Line: I will ALWAYS choose to live in China, since I prefer homogeneity.

Edited July 15Jul 15 by GammaGlobulin

Just now, GammaGlobulin said:

It is not only countries; I am a person, not a country; I now favor China over the United States, if one is the speaking of the US as a monolithic whole.

But, I favor Old Lyme, CT, by far, over China.

China is a dump, compared to the best villages in New England.

However: One thing I cannot tolerate is the mixing of skin color like you see in the USA, which is becoming not just a melting pot, but a multi-colored stew.

This is why I will always choose China.

My advice: Chose just ONE skin color, and then abide by it. Do not mix skin colors unless you want a riot on your hands.

So, China is good, and great for me.

New England, if I want white skin, of course, is not bad.

Racist comments

10 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Means nothing. Just random opinions.

You have every right to your cluelessness.

20 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Means a lot actually.

Soft power is how the USA has dominated so much.

That's slipping away. FAST.

The cost to the American people will be momentous.

Yes we all know who is to blame for this.

Hillary?

Biden?

Why?

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You have every right to your cluelessness.

I'm 100% right. These surveys mean nothing. China sells products to people that hate China. People are fickle and buy the cheapest or the best. A new leader comes in soon.

Not 1 doomsday prediction has come true so far and if we looked at your predictions last 10 years all would be wrong.

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I'm 100% right. These surveys mean nothing. China sells products to people that hate China. People are fickle and buy the cheapest or the best. A new leader comes in soon.

Not 1 doomsday prediction has come true so far and if we looked at your predictions last 10 years all would be wrong.

NOT wrong.

But, wrong...SO FAR.....

These ARE predictions, you know.

Some predictions do not come true in our lifetimes, but some do.

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

NOT wrong.

But, wrong...SO FAR.....

These ARE predictions, you know.

Some predictions do not come true in our lifetimes, but some do.

Last quarter gdp growth 2.1%. People keep saying Trump is ruining the economy but he isn't.

21 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You have every right to your cluelessness.

you have every right to spew hate against the only country that allows you to exist safely.

7 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Last quarter gdp growth 2.1%. People keep saying Trump is ruining the economy but he isn't.

Yes.

I agree.

Trump is not ruining the economy.

Indeed, most presidents have relatively little effect on the US economy, or on the World Economy......unless....of course....

They might do something that shuts down a strait, or something....

Yet another own goal for the captain!

It is all because of an absolute moron running the country,he is in way way over hi s head. The village idiot could not even run a bussiness,let alone a big country like America.

2 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Means nothing. Just opinions.

Just another opinion that means nothing.

For those of us - most of us - who live comfortably far away from either contender, the choice is clear.

Between a nation of fruitcakes run incompetently by a moronic criminal assisted by assorted thieves and vagabonds, and a country ruled with iron discipline in the interests of assorted criminals and thieves, the only choice for sensible people is to stay as far away from both as possible.

2 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Means nothing. Just opinions.

"There is none so blind as those who refuse too see"

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

For those of us - most of us - who live comfortably far away from either contender, the choice is clear.

Between a nation of fruitcakes run incompetently by a moronic criminal assisted by assorted thieves and vagabonds, and a country ruled with iron discipline in the interests of assorted criminals and thieves, the only choice for sensible people is to stay as far away from both as possible.

Not that far.

China is only 200 km from Thailand.

14 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Not that far.

China is only 200 km from Thailand.

So true!

And, just look at the margin for Thailand in the Pew Research Center chart above.

2 hours ago, saakura said:

"There is none so blind as those who refuse too see"

Meaningless cliche.

2 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Just another opinion that means nothing.

The economy is going fine. Show me one prediction from the left that was right

Can't get any worse when Trump's bff love-child Kim Jong-Un called him a 'mentally deranged" dotard and praise Xi.

For those saying it doesn't mean anything, you are wrong.

How much of China's govt debt is funded by foreign money? Not much. How much of the US' exploding deficit is funded by foreign money? (25+%). That alone is cause for concern. If foreigners go on a UST buyer's strike, either interest rates rise or money is printed and inflation results. Let's recall what happened to inflation after Trump ran up $8,400,000,000,000 new debt in his first term. Biden had to deal with the resulting inflation. The decline in the world's view of the US is going to cost money.

The second thing is trade. Canada is already making trade deals with China, owing to Trump's capricious and ever-changing tariffs. Everybody is looking to build new partnerships without the US. Trade will also increasingly be handled in currencies other than the dollar, threatening the dollar's reserve status.

Oh, and what's the "Greenland" or "51st State" with regards to China? China is not alienating neighbors and allies with silly talk, like Trump is. Also, folks see the US is being run by a corrupt, self-serving Administration led by someone in serious cognitive decline, albeit with no guardrails. "The Islamic Republic of Japan"? Trump also showed the capricious nature of policy, like when he said re Spain, "cut off trade....and no visits". Rutte just smiled at that absurdity.

The effect isn't just on the public sector. France has already prohibited its govt employees from continuing to use Microsoft Word and Excel. There is talk of govts banning the use of messaging apps owned by forms who grovel to Trump, like Mata's WhatsApp. The EU is developing and deploying more satellites, so they don't need things like Starlink. Countries will likely shy away from depending on anything US made...which would change the status of the US equity market's current AI boom (unless maybe Elon Musk figures he can capture the Martian market with Teslas, rocket launches, internet and robots).

Yes, Europe and former allies are building up their defense---though the "5% of GDP" or whatever it is in NATO is a useless number, given the fact not all countries will have the same cost overruns, pork and inefficiencies that are the hallmark of the US defense industry. Plus, the major lesson of the Iran War (besides the fact Trump is an idiot who has gotten everything wrong), is that a $30K drone can be as effective as $1.5 million Tomahawks, or can take out $1.3 billion THAAD systems. More money does not necessary translate to victory on the battlefield, and certainly does guarantee victory in the war itself. NATO can build up to an effective deterrent level at a fraction of the cost of the US defense spending. If Hegseth's request for a $1.5 trillion budget is passed, the US will be spending more than the next 28 nations combined...yet it can't even beat Iran.

So even if NATO builds up its military, they are increasingly likely to do it by buying local. The US defense industry---even commercial/military firms like Boeing---are going to take a hit in decreased sales.

After Trump switched planes, leaving "Grift Force One" behind in Turkey, the remaining G7 members met to discuss (likely laugh at Trump) matters. France President Macron said, "there is no going back" (meaning the historically close relationship with the US).

It won't all hit at once, but this "opinion" certainly seems to signify the decline of the American empire and its influence. Non-Americans might still buy rap music (though K-Pop is on the rise even in the US), but the orders for products and services from US manufacturing and tech are going to slide.

Ships deserting a sinking rat.

35 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Can't get any worse when Trump's bff love-child Kim Jong-Un called him a 'mentally deranged" dotard and praise Xi.

North Korea hates America and does business with China and Russia. Nothing new there.

The Dow Jones is up 7.5% this year btw.

18 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

North Korea hates America and does business with China and Russia. Nothing new there.

The Dow Jones is up 7.5% this year btw.

So Trump is all bs when boast about his 'beautiful"and 'great'personal friendship with Kim Jong Un and that he is respected by Kim. Calling him a dotard seem far from respecting.

Stocks only benefit the wealthiest 1% of Americans holding 50% of all equities. The top 10% by wealth hold 87% of wealth.

6 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

So Trump is all bs when boast about his 'beautiful"and 'great'personal friendship with Kim Jong Un and that he is respected by Kim. Calling him a dotard seem far from respecting.

Stocks only benefit the wealthiest 1% of Americans holding 50% of all equities. The top 10% by wealth hold 87% of wealth.

Poor people don't win or lose due to most things. So you are right.

6 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

It is not only countries; I am a person, not a country; I now favor China over the United States, if one is the speaking of the US as a monolithic whole.

But, I favor Old Lyme, CT, by far, over China.

China is a dump, compared to the best villages in New England.

However: One thing I cannot tolerate is the mixing of skin color like you see in the USA, which is becoming not just a melting pot, but a multi-colored stew.

This is why I will always choose China.

My advice: Chose just ONE skin color, and then abide by it. Do not mix skin colors unless you want a riot on your hands.

So, China is good, and great for me.

New England, if I want white skin, of course, is not bad.

I am sure that most people, if you really asked them, would agree that, some people like:

Dark Meat

And others like White Meat.

Some like a bit of breast meat on Thanksgiving, plus a leg.

I see nothing wrong with having preferences.

So, as I say, when I am in China, I like only Chinese.

But, when I am in New England, I like only white meat.

Bottom Line: I will ALWAYS choose to live in China, since I prefer homogeneity.

If you want to choose one skin color, you might want to integrate into a Chinese village, where they may or may not accept you, seeing you're an outsider with a different skin color. The US isn't a good idea, as it's all world skin colors in one place, mostly getting along with some prejudiced exceptions.

Mixed skin colors don't cause riots to happen. That's from a mob mentality of any color. Shared grievances with one or a couple starting and then the mob takes over like sheep following a shepherd.

4 hours ago, saakura said:

"There is none so blind as those who refuse too see"

Valid quote, as many are in denial or won't change their way of thinking no matter how much the truth is shown to them.