Americans, Opinion Leaders See U.S.-China Ties as Friendly

As China's presumptive next president, Vice President Xi Jinping, visits with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington this week to discuss U.S.-China relations, a Gallup-China Daily USA survey sheds new light on Americans' views of China. Two-thirds of the American public and a sample of U.S. opinion leaders consider China to be friendly or an ally of the U.S. About one in four of each group considers China to be either unfriendly or an enemy.

Americans and Opinion Leaders More Divided About General Attitudes Toward China

Despite relatively positive perceptions of relations between China and the U.S., the American public is just as likely to have an unfavorable opinion of China as it is to have a favorable one. About 4 in 10 Americans (42%) say they have a favorable opinion of China, and 44% say they have an unfavorable opinion. Opinion leaders surveyed are slightly more likely, at 49%, to have a favorable opinion of China; 40% have an unfavorable opinion.

U.S. adults under 35 years are more likely than older Americans to say they have a favorable opinion of China. About half of those 18- to 34-years-old have a favorable opinion of China, compared with just over one-third of older Americans.

Those Who Follow News Closely More Likely to View China Unfavorably

U.S. opinion leaders are much more likely than U.S. adults to be knowledgeable about China. Eighty-one percent of opinion leaders say they know "some" or "a great deal" about China, compared with 53% of U.S. adults. Similarly, 80% of opinion leaders surveyed say they follow news about China either "somewhat closely" or "very closely" compared with 50% of U.S. adults.

Americans who follow news about China closely are more likely to express unfavorable views of China. Just over half (54%) of U.S. adults who follow news about China either "very closely" or "somewhat closely" say they have an unfavorable view of China, compared with 35% of those who do not follow news about China closely.

Most Americans View U.S.-China Relations as Important and Want More Cooperation

Although the American public and opinion leaders hold mixed views about China in general, a solid majority say strong U.S.-China relations are important. About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say strong U.S.-China relations are "somewhat" (27%) or "very important" (44%). Eight-five percent of opinion leaders say the same, including 57% who say very important.

Americans and U.S. opinion leaders generally want more cooperation between the United States and China on key issues. At least 60% of respondents in both groups said the U.S. and China should cooperate more on economic and energy, cultural, education, and scientific matters, and political and diplomatic issues.

Many Americans Say China Will Replace U.S. as Leading World Power

Americans are more likely to agree than disagree that China will eventually replace the U.S. as the world's leading power. Forty-two percent of Americans and 44% of opinion leaders agree with this statement.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/152618/American...s-Friendly.aspx

But will it change or alter our lives?

No $hit sherlock! The media's job is to bash China 24/7 so whoever follows the news is gonna hate China: brainwashing 101.

It's no surprise that those who are most obsessed with Asia hate Asians. This article just proved my theory.