Extra Than a Third of Individuals View China as an ‘Enemy’

Americans are more and more seeing China as an “enemy” of the U.S. quite than a competitor, reflecting rising public skepticism over the power for the world’s two largest economies to cooperate, in line with a brand new survey by the Pew Analysis Middle.

Some 38% of respondents to the survey labeled China as an “enemy,” up 13 proportion factors from final yr. Greater than half these polled described China as a “competitor,” whereas simply 6% stated the nation was a “companion” of the U.S.

The survey of greater than 3,500 U.S. adults, which was taken in late March and printed Wednesday, additionally discovered that 83% of respondents had “unfavorable opinions” of China — up one proportion level from 2022. The Pew report drew upon focus teams performed in Virginia late final yr, too.

“Individuals are broadly involved about China’s function on the planet,” the Pew researchers wrote within the report, which additionally highlighted worries about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin within the aftermath of the continuing warfare in Ukraine. “Few Individuals have faith in Xi to do the best factor in world affairs — together with almost half who say they don’t have any confidence in any respect in him.”

Learn Extra: U.S. General’s Prediction of War With China ‘in 2025’ Risks Turning Worst Fears Into Reality

The report underscores the worsening U.S.-China relationship, which soured through the Trump administration with the trade war and was additional strained through the pandemic, which former President Donald Trump known as a “Chinese plague.” The nations additionally tussled over allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang and the crackdown on political freedoms in Hong Kong.

Ties have continued to deteriorate below President Joe Biden, with Xi in March accusing the U.S. of “containment” over China’s technological advances. An alleged Chinese spy balloon was additionally shot down over American skies just lately, prompting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to name off his visit to China.

Taiwan has been one other ache level: Conferences between President Tsai Ing-wen’s and main U.S. political leaders have led Beijing to up army strain on the island. Beijing sees the democracy as a part of its territory, and considerations a couple of potential battle have been rising.

Learn Extra: China Plays Long Game With Response to Taiwan President Visiting U.S.

Overseas Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated he wouldn’t touch upon survey outcomes however blamed “anti-China forces” for spreading disinformation about his nation, deceptive public opinion.

“China is dedicated to peaceable growth,” he stated Thursday at an everyday press briefing in Beijing. “Our growth is a chance for the world, not a problem to anybody.”

The Pew survey discovered that 47% of respondents suppose tensions between China and Taiwan are “very severe,” a report excessive share. Some 62% of these surveyed additionally cited the China-Russia partnership as a “very severe” situation, too.

Practically half of the survey’s respondents now see the U.S. because the world’s main financial energy whereas solely about 40% see China on high — a marked change from final yr, when opinion was divided equally between the 2.

Even so, round eight in 10 Individuals stated financial competitors with China was not less than a “considerably severe” drawback.”

—With help from Philip Glamann.

Contact us at letters@time.com.