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July 24, 2014

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Impressions of China vary by age, nationality

By Shirley Xu | July 24, 2014, Thursday | Print Edition

YOUNG people hold more favorable opinions about China than their elders in most countries, according to a new survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington, DC, that provides information on social issues.

It recently released the major findings of its survey, conducted in 44 countries among 48,643 respondents from March to June.

Across the globe, young people tend to have more positive attitudes toward China than older respondents. In 23 nations, people ages 18 to 29 give China higher ratings than do those ages 50 and older. In the UK, Mexico, the US and France, the gap between older and younger respondents is 20 percentage points.

Across the nations surveyed, a median of 53 percent say that China’s growing economy is a good thing for their own country; just 27 percent describe this as a bad thing.

China’s economic rise, coupled with the challenges, have led to shifting views about the economic balance of power in the world.

Comparing the 2008 survey with this year’s, the median percentage naming the US as the world’s leading economic power has dropped from 49 percent to 40 percent. During the same period, the percentage naming China rose from 19 percent to 31 percent.

The global views of China are positive, although ratings vary significantly across nations and regions. Across 43 nations, a median of 49 percent express a favorable opinion of China.

Different voices

Bernard Miller, 21, American

Newly graduated from college, high school pre-calculus teacher in training

“I think of China as a complex country. Large government with many people. Lots of income inequality. Lots of corruption.

Economy-wise, China has to find a way to keep up fast economic growth as exports fall.

I think it is incredibly influential (because of its number of people and growing economy). Some would argue that its growth threatens others, but I think it only helps as long as we both play by fair rules. Both countries help each other out.”

Edison Chen, 31, Chinese national

A permanent resident of Singapore who has lived 12 years there

“Older people/generations think China has slow development, wrong concepts, low expectations. Younger people have a better understanding of China’s development and are aware of the modernization, especially the conditions of big cities.

China has great economic potential, no longer just in manufacturing and industry but in other fields, as well.

Most foreign countries are aware of China’s development and impact.

China has great impact politically and economically from a global standpoint.

China has some conflict with neighboring countries like Vietnam, Japan. With economic growth it is inevitable, but a peaceful environment is favored for growth, and overall the conflicts should be manageable and should not pose a significant problem.

The young generation of foreigners have a 60-percent accurate view of China, while still not fully understanding the current conditions. Those who have lived on China’s mainland for a couple years will have a view quite close to the Chinese natives.”

Yvonne Wu,  40, Chinese national from Shanghai

Marketing specialist at a multinational company

“China has long been misunderstood, especially by Western countries and their people. I don’t know what caused that, maybe cultural differences or miscommunication. Even five years ago I was often asked by my foreign clients, ‘Do you have electricity the whole day?’ ‘Is there a refrigerator?’ It’s just so funny.

But things are changing, gradually. The young generation who’s more open-minded thinks differently from the senior. They are flexible and would raise many questions  if they don’t understand something rather than just make a  biased decision.

As China develops so quickly, economically speaking, its global position definitely rises and I’m sure that also helps in building up the country’s image.”

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