Why the world is choosing China: A global shift in trust and power

Editor's note: Stephen Ndegwa, a special commentator for CGTN, is the executive director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi-based communications development think tank. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

A quiet yet significant shift is unfolding in global public opinion, signaling a turning point in how the world perceives power, partnership, and progress. China, often portrayed in Western narratives with negative images, is increasingly being viewed more favorably than the United States across diverse regions. Recent data from respected research institutions show that global attitudes toward China are not only warming, but also tipping the balance of global favorability in ways that challenge longstanding assumptions.

A major international survey conducted by the Alliance of Democracies Foundation in collaboration with Nira Data surveyed over 110,000 respondents across 100 countries, yielding striking results. For the first time, China surpassed the U.S. in overall global favorability. The findings, published by Newsweek, show that the world increasingly perceives China as a more constructive global actor than the U.S. This is not a marginal finding. It actually reflects a growing consensus among diverse populations that China's role in global affairs is evolving, and positively so.

The Morning Consult, a well-regarded U.S.-based data intelligence firm, has reinforced these findings. In a comprehensive global tracking project of public opinion on China-U.S. relations, Morning Consult reported that China's net favorability is rising across a broad range of countries, including in parts of Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa and even Europe.

The full analysis is publicly accessible via Morning Consult's platform. According to their data, while Americans and many in traditional Western alliances maintain cautious or pessimistic views of China, much of the rest of the world is shifting toward a more positive outlook.

In Africa, these shifts are especially pronounced. The Accra-based Africa Barometer released its annual survey in May 2024, covering 30 countries across the continent. It found that 60 percent of respondents believe that China has a positive influence on their respective countries.

While the U.S. still enjoys relatively favorable views, China is widely perceived as more reliable, especially in areas related to infrastructure, economic partnership and long-term development support. As reported in Africa Confidential, many Africans now view China as more dependable and less transactional than the U.S., especially after Donald Trump began his second term in office in 2025 and the associated unpredictability in American foreign policy.

Meanwhile, in the Asia-Pacific region, the Lowy Institute, Australia's leading international policy think tank, has been tracking perceptions of influence in the region. According to a recent report, only 18 percent of Pacific respondents view the U.S. as the dominant actor in their region, compared to 34 percent who see China as the most influential power. This finding marks a significant reversal of historical alignments and raises questions about the long-term sustainability of Western influence in the Pacific. The data, detailed in the Lowy Institute's Interpreter publication, confirms that China's sustained presence and diplomatic engagement in the region are reshaping the geopolitical landscape.

In the "China Favorability" global poll released by CGTN for two consecutive years, respondents' favorability towards China's national image has been increasing year by year. Among them, 89 percent of the respondents believe that China is a prosperous country, with the proportion increasing by 4.8 percentage points; 77.8 percent of the respondents think that China is a respectable country, with the proportion increasing by 1.3 percentage points. 87.2 percent of the respondents believe that China's international influence has significantly increased, with the proportion rising by 8.4 percentage points.

These multiple, independent datasets form a coherent and empirically grounded picture – China's favorability is not only rising, but also outpacing that of the U.S. in many key global regions. Importantly, these trends are not driven by ideology, but by performance, presence and perceived reliability. China's approach to international relations, grounded in principles of mutual respect, non-interference and infrastructure-first, is resonating with many governments and populations.

China's success in shaping this new image is rooted in its long-term global strategy. While the U.S. has often framed international engagement through the lens of security, regime change and ideological alignment, China has consistently emphasized economic cooperation and infrastructural development. The Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013, has become the world's largest development strategy, touching more than 140 countries.

Whether building railways in Kenya, ports in Sri Lanka, or digital infrastructure in Latin America, China's emphasis has been clear: Offer partnership without preaching. Though critics often raise concerns about debt sustainability and strategic dependency, whose "debt trap" theory has long been debunked, the data shows that recipient countries still see a net benefit. They appreciate the absence of political conditions.

Unlike the West's preference for tightly conditioned aid, often tied to governance reforms or democratic metrics, China's approach is generally agnostic to internal politics. This neutrality is welcomed by many developing nations, which have grown weary of what they perceive as paternalistic or moralizing foreign policy. China's efforts in South-South cooperation are gaining traction, particularly in regions that have historically been marginalized in the Western-dominated global order.

The perception of reliability also plays a key role. China is viewed as a predictable and long-term partner who sticks to its commitments. In contrast, U.S. foreign policy has often been erratic, with administrations oscillating wildly between different approaches. Trump administration's unilateral decisions, such as withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, tearing up trade pacts and instituting travel bans, sent shockwaves through America's alliances.

Former U.S. President Joe Biden's return to multilateralism restored some confidence, but the current reality of another Trump presidency has reintroduced anxiety. As shown in the Africa Barometer poll, many respondents consider China a more consistent partner. Consistency, not ideology, is becoming the currency of global trust.

The economic implications of these perception shifts are profound. As more countries align themselves with China, they are likely to prioritize trade, investment and technological exchange with Beijing. China's domestic market remains a magnet for exporters across Africa, Latin America and Asia.

This rising favorability also challenges the idea that soft power resides only in Western entertainment, education and democratic values. China is redefining soft power on its own terms, focusing not just on cultural diplomacy through Confucius Institutes, but also through reliable project delivery, pandemic support and respect for national sovereignty.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, China's early and aggressive vaccine support, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia, boosted its image at a time when Western nations were hoarding supplies. This act of solidarity did not pass unnoticed, and it laid a foundation for longer-term goodwill.

Naturally, the rising favorability toward China signals growing global respect and recognition of its leadership. Across much of the world, particularly in the Global South, there is a clear shift toward focusing on China's contributions to development, stability and partnership. Rather than being distracted by external narratives, many nations view internal matters as China's sovereign domain, choosing instead to prioritize the tangible benefits of cooperation and shared progress.

The U.S. now faces a strategic choice. Continue its current trajectory of confrontation and containment, or accept the evolving reality of a multipolar world and seek areas of convergence. If Washington frames global politics purely in terms of ideological confrontation, it risks alienating much of the world that is not interested in choosing sides. The perception that America promotes division while China promotes development is a powerful narrative, one that is gaining traction.

The shift in global favorability toward China does not necessarily signal the end of U.S. influence, but it does mark the end of unchallenged Western supremacy. In a world grappling with climate change, inequality and the digital divide, nations are seeking partners who deliver tangible results. Right now, many believe that China is doing just that.

The global perception pendulum is swinging. It is not merely about China rising. It is about the world recognizing the rise, reassessing its partnerships and reimagining its future. The challenge for the U.S. and its allies is to respond not with fear, but with introspection, and to realize that global leadership in the 21st century will be earned.

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