A recent study from Pew Research Center has highlighted the continual hostile attitudes that Americans have toward China, where political conflicts and economic problems predominate.
The study, which was conducted among 3, 600 US adults in the first half of April 2024, explores the complexity of these views and their impact on foreign policy objectives.
Despite some transitions in foreign relationships, an overwhelming preponderance of Americans—81 %—continue to see China negatively, a mood that has remained constant over the past five decades.
According to Pew studies, more and more Americans view China as a foe. The proportion of people who believe China to be an American army has reached its highest level since Pew first asked the question in 2021, which is around 42 %.
This vital approach extends to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also viewed negatively. The review highlights growing fears among the American masses about China’s expanding global control and its interactions with other countries, particularly in terms of territorial disputes and economic effect.
Important results from the study:
- Constant negative opinions: Approximately 81 % of Americans have an unpleasant view of China, with 43 % expressing a pretty hostile mind.
- Increasing control acknowledged: About 71 % of Americans believe that China’s international control has strengthened in recent years.
- Concerns about regional problems: Sixty-one percent of Americans are concerned about China’s regional issues with neighboring nations.
- China as a competitor or enemy: Only 6 % of US adults see China as a partner, while 50 % view it as a competitor and 42 % as an enemy.
- Impact on the US economy: Some Americans perceive China’s impact on the US economy as important and bad.
- Focus on limiting China’s strength: Nearly half of the respondents believe that limiting China’s energy should be a major international policy priority.
- Partisan variations: Republicans, mainly conservative ones, are more likely to see China negatively and as an enemy compared to Democrats.
- Generational divide: Older Americans ( ages 65 and above ) are more critical of China than younger adults ( ages 18- 29 ).
- People who are unhappy with the US economy are more likely to include negative opinions of China, according to financial despair.
