WASHINGTON, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.
For more information and to access to the full survey briefing,
please visit: www.committee100.org. Follow us on Twitter
@Committee100.
Contact:
Committee of
100
media@committee100.org
Kirsten@FedewaConsulting.com
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/committee-of-100-releases-2017-us-china-public-perceptions-survey-300461023.html
SOURCE Committee of 100