A majority of Americans consider trade with China to be beneficial to the US economy and consumers, according to a survey released on Friday.

The survey, conducted by the Committee of 100 (C100), a non-partisan organization focused on addressing issues important to the Chinese American community and furthering US-China relations, explored US and Chinese public perceptions about each other.

It found that 81 percent of Americans agree that trade with China will be advantageous to the US economy, and 75 percent of Americans think that products from China benefit American consumers.

A young American woman shops at a supermarket. /VCG Photo

The report also discovered that overall sentiment is positive about bilateral investment between China and the US.

It is the first time since 2001 that Americans and Chinese agree on the three areas in which both countries would benefit from working together: trade, global financial stability, and the environment, according to the survey.

"The aim of this survey is to determine Americans' attitudes toward China, and Chinese attitudes toward the United States, in order to explore the most salient issues in US-China relations," said Frank Wu, chair of the C100.

"It is more crucial than ever to find paths to mutual understanding and stronger bilateral relations," he added.

Busy street in New York City. /VCG Photo

According to the survey, millennials (18-34 year olds) in both countries have a more favorable impression about each other than older generations do.

For example, 57 percent of American millennials have a positive impression of China, compared to 48 percent of the overall American public, while 60 percent of Chinese millennials have a favorable impression of the US, compared to 55 percent of the Chinese public in general.

Meanwhile, 88 percent of American millennials think positively of the Chinese language being taught in US schools, and 86 percent think the increase of Chinese students studying in US schools is good for America, the survey said. 

The C100's Public Perceptions Opinion Survey project began in 1994 and produced reports in 2001, 2005, 2007, 2012, and 2017. The report covered 79 questions showing responses from China and the US from four target respondent groups: the general public, business leaders, policy experts, and journalists.

The survey was conducted among 3,696 Chinese respondents and 1,019 American respondents between November 18 and December 23, 2016.

(Source: Xinhua)