China's image among developing nations has been showing steady improvement, despite efforts to portray it as a threat to their economic health.
The newly released 2018 China National Image Global Survey reveals that developing countries have a more favorable view of China than those in the industrialized world.
China has consistently rejected accusations from the West that its extensive aid program in poor and emerging nations, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, would cripple them financially in the years ahead.
Sixty percent of survey respondents from developing countries reacted positively to China's contribution to global development, a rise of 12 percent compared with the previous survey – in spite of the persistent negative headlines.
The survey was conducted between May and July 2018 by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and multinational market research firm Kantar.
Students from Zambia are taught automobile engine maintenance and other skills at the heavy truck technology training base of Shaanxi Automobile Technical School, Shaanxi Automobile Holding Group Co. Ltd, in the Chinese city of Xi'an by Chen Lilong, a car technical practice teacher. /VCG Photo
The favorable trend appears to be holding in large parts of the developing world, according to a more recent poll, the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Survey conducted among 34,904 people across 32 countries from May 13 to August 29.
"Majorities or pluralities in each of the Middle Eastern, Latin American and sub-Saharan African countries surveyed have a favorable view of China – ranging from a low of 46 percent in South Africa to a high of 70 percent in Nigeria," Pew said in a report on its website on the survey, which was released at the end of September.
Belt and Road
The China Image Survey showed that the country's overall image globally was on the move at that time. On a scale of one to 10, the respondents in developing nations rated China at 7.1 and in developed nations 5.4. for an overall score of 6.2.
Mexico (7.8 points), Saudi Arabia (7.5 points), Chile (7.4 points), Russia (7.4 points) and Indonesia (7.2 points) had the best impressions of China among the 11,000 respondents from 22 countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe.
On the Belt and Road itself, the research found that in developing countries, survey participants "thought highly of (its) impact on themselves as individuals, on their countries, and on regional and global economies." 66 percent gave a positive rating, a four-percent rise, compared to 47 percent among developed nations, a two-percent increase.
The difference was more marked (56 percent to 31 percent) when it came to the national economy.
Some 62 percent of those in low- and middle-income countries agreed that China is "a major Oriental country with a rich history and full of charm, and a contributor to global development," surpassing the number in developed nations.
High-speed growth
Overall, 65 percent of the respondents believe that the international status and global influence of China will continue to grow, with the country scoring 6.4 points for its contribution to global governance.
Forty percent of the China Image survey thought that the Chinese economy would continue to grow at a high speed.
The country also scored well regarding its performance in science and technology (63 percent), economy (60 percent) and culture (53 percent).
When asked for their views on the Chinese people, most respondents said they are hardworking and dedicated, collectivistic, honest and modest, hospitable and friendly, but somewhat traditional and conservative.
In terms of influence, China ranked second to the United States, followed by Russia, the UK and France.
The survey period concluded just as U.S. President Donald Trump was launching a trade war allied to a relentless campaign of anti-China rhetoric that began even before he assumed office.
The Pew research suggests that his crusade may be having an impact, with the view of China in the West coming under pressure in the current environment.
Backing from youth
Today, 60 percent of Americans have an unfavorable opinion of China, up from 47 percent in 2018, it said. In Canada, which angered China by arresting a senior Huawei executive at America's request last year, the figure has risen to 67 percent.
Compared with 2018, fewer people in parts of Western Europe and Asia-Pacific also view China favorably.
If there is a silver lining in all this for China, it is that both surveys found that the younger the respondents around the world, the more favorable the view of the country.
Higher scores were seen among those aged 18 to 35 in the China Image survey when rating its performance in domestic and global affairs.
"Younger people tend to have a more positive stance on China across most of the countries surveyed," the Pew report said. "In 20 countries, adults ages 18 to 29 have more favorable views than those ages 50 and older."
That statistic is a good sign for China going forward and is definitely something that it can build on.
Cover image: VCG