The Committee of 100 performed a survey to determine Americans attitude towards China and vise versa.
Important Date to Note being:
Both Chinese and Americans view the other less favorably now than in 2012
Only 15% of Chinese trust Americans down from 35% in 2012
Both agree on U.S.-China collaboration seeing benefits if both work together
Both care about environmentalism greatly 60% - Americans 79% - Chinese
China worries about American Military Presence in Asia 79% seeing it as a threat
Both America and China see trade relations as a top priority
Essentially,
both Chinese and Americans are willing to work together on trade more
than anything else, although there is still a lack of trust on both
sides. The public opinion change while it could have a small impact
seemed to be relatively similar in nature.Both Chinese and Americans view the other less favorably now than in 2012
Only 15% of Chinese trust Americans down from 35% in 2012
Both agree on U.S.-China collaboration seeing benefits if both work together
Both care about environmentalism greatly 60% - Americans 79% - Chinese
China worries about American Military Presence in Asia 79% seeing it as a threat
Both America and China see trade relations as a top priority
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NEWS RELEASE
Committee of 100
Releases 2017 U.S.-China Public Perceptions Survey
Survey finds that
rising levels of distrust could undermine the U.S.-China relationship, Bridge-building
required to ease concerns
Washington, D.C., May
19, 2017 –
A new survey conducted by the Committee of 100 (C100) – a non-profit
organization of prominent Chinese American leaders from politics, business,
media and entertainment, and academia – underscores that a majority of
Americans view cooperation and bridge-building between the two countries as
“critical” and recognize the benefits of increased trade and investment, and
cultural exchanges. Americans are, however, wary of China’s economic and military
intentions.
According to C100’s Chairman Frank Wu, the C100’s landmark survey
is intended to provide unique, comprehensive, and comparative information to
better understand and enhance U.S.-China relations. The report also allows for
a comparison of attitude changes over the last decade in both the U.S. and China
“The aim of this survey is to determine American attitudes toward
China, and Chinese attitudes toward the United States, in order to explore the
most salient issues in U.S.-China relations. Now more than ever, it is more
crucial than ever to find paths to mutual understanding and stronger bilateral
relations. The study illuminates the hopes and fears of Americans and Chinese
people for U.S.-China relations, and can be used to foster more fact-based
dialogue and decision-making,” said Wu.
The Committee of 100'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 in China and the United States
from four target respondent groups: the general public, business leaders,
policy experts, and journalists.
Key highlights:
·
The survey found that
favorable views of the other country have declined: 55% of Chinese say they have a favorable
impression of the U.S., down from 59% % in 2012, while 48% of Americans have a
favorable view of China, down from 48% in 2017.
·
Chinese have become less trusting of America: Only 15% of Chinese think China should trust America, down from 36% in
2012.
·
However,
Americans and Chinese also agree on areas of U.S.-China Collaboration:
For the first time, Americans and Chinese are in agreement
about the areas in which both countries would benefit from working together:
trade, global financial stability, and the environment. In addition, North
Korea has proved to be a common area of concern and desired collaboration.
·
Chinese Optimism at All Time High: More Chinese than ever
(92%) think China is headed on the right track, with a majority believing China
will surpass the U.S. as the world’s leading superpower.
Other findings from the survey include:
● Concerns about cybersecurity are
on Americans’ minds. Americans cite cybersecurity as the top likely
source of conflict between the two countries, along with trade. Concern for the threat of cybersecurity
doubled in importance for Americans from 11% in 2012 to 24% in 2017.
● China has serious concerns about
the United States’ military presence in Asia. 79% of Chinese see
America’s military power as a potential to serious threat. 72% see the disputes
over the claims in the South China Sea as a regional issue rather than an
international one.
● Environmental concerns are at an
all-time high when it comes to individuals. 60% of Americans and 79%
of Chinese (the highest percentage yet in the last decade) personally worry
about climate change.
● U.S. - Chinese trade relations
are a top priority. Over 80% of both Americans and Chinese agree that
trade with China is beneficial to the U.S. economy. Both Americans (75%) and
Chinese (74%) also agree that products from China benefit American
consumers.
● Millennials in the United States
driving up support for China. 72% of American millennials value China
as the most important partner compared to 64% of the general public.
● Despite these challenges, both
American and Chinese citizens want to be invested in each other’s future.
88% of American millennials think positively of the Chinese language being
taught in U.S. schools (82% general public)’ and 86% (78% general public) think
the increase of Chinese students studying in the U.S. is good for America.
Methodology:
The survey, conducted in English in the U.S. in collaboration with
Brunswick Insights, was released during the C100 Annual Conference 2017 in
Washington, D.C. on May 19, 2017. The data for the national China survey was
drawn from Horizon Dataway’s own continuous self-sponsored and annually
released survey on China’s global views, “The World in Chinese Eyes.”
The latest survey covered 79 questions, 53 of which were asked in
both the U.S. and China, 11 in the United States only, and 15 in China only.
About 80% of the survey questions in this update were repeated from the 2012
survey. This year, the survey was conducted among 3,696 Chinese respondents and
1,019 American respondents between November 18 and December 23, 2016.
About the Committee of 100
The Committee of 100 is an international, non-partisan leadership
organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia,
and the arts. For over 25 years, the Committee has been committed to a dual
mission of promoting the full participation of Chinese Americans in all fields
of American life, and encouraging constructive relations between the peoples of
the United States and Greater China. www.committee100.org.
About Brunswick Group
Brunswick Insight is
Brunswick’s specialist opinion research practice, focused on understanding the
views of opinion formers around the world. Brunswick Group is an advisory firm
specializing in critical issues and corporate relations. Founded in 1987,
Brunswick is an organically grown, private partnership with 23 offices around
the world.
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