China's image through foreigners' eyes (2)

Survey in Asia

The survey in Asia was conducted from 2010 to 2012, covering 12 countries and regions from East Asia and Southeast Asia: Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and the Chinese mainland.

More than half the people from China's neighboring northeast Asian countries (an average of 60.9%) believe China has significant influence in Asia, while 24.6% think that the U.S has influence, as well as believing that China's influence is negative. In contrast, 46.6% of people from Southeast Asian countries think the US has greater influence in Asia than China; 33% have a good impression of China and believe that China's influence is greater.

Survey in Latin America

The survey in Latin America was conducted in 2012, covering 24 countries. The study found that China has a positive image in Latin American countries that is superior to America's. China's influence in Latin America is perceived as lower than America's, but the gap is narrowing. 50.3% people in Latin America think America is the most influential country in the region, with China palced second (25.1%). They believe that the gap in influence between the US and China will be reduced in next decade (30.9% vs 39.1%). More Latin Americans gave a positive assessment of China's influence than the US (70.6% v.s. 63.9%). Latin Americans believe that China has a big impact on their region, scoring 65.8 out of 100.

China's development model is applauded by Latin American people - the second choice after the US - while 56.6% people in Latin America recognize that Chinese enterprises make a contribution to its economy.

For the moment, the survey represents rare feedback from the above three regions on China's public image in the international arena.

This is edited and translated from an article on Jie Fang Daily