Chinese Public Divided on Whether Beijing Should Seek Shared Leadership or Global Dominance
Respondents split between a preference for shared international leadership and a more assertive bid for primacy.
China Pulse: Chinese Public Opinion
A semiannual national survey of Chinese public opinion on international affairs. Aggregate findings are public below; raw microdata is open to verified scholars.
Aggregate findings are public. Raw microdata is available to verified scholars under a Data Use Agreement.
Key findings
Chinese Public Wants a Balanced Approach to the United States
A plurality favors engagement balanced with firmness rather than confrontation or accommodation alone.
Chinese Public Broadly Confident in China's Economy
Confidence in the domestic economy remains broad, though tempered among younger urban respondents.
Friends with Benefits: Chinese See Russia and North Korea as Beijing's Closest Comrades
Russia and North Korea rank highest on perceived closeness to China; Western states rank lowest.
Geopolitics Guides Chinese Public Assessment of Neighbors
Assessments of neighboring countries track alignment with Chinese strategic interests more than economics.
Chinese Public Expects to be Treated as Equals in Trade
A strong majority expects reciprocity and equal standing in trade relationships with major economies.
Data dashboard (illustrative)
Partners & method
- The Carter Center · China Focus
- Emory University, Dept. of Political Science
- Chicago Council on Global Affairs
- NORC at the University of Chicago