Editor’s note: This article, translated from Wenxuecity.com is a survey that shows Western views on China as a global power. The data is compiled from a survey taken by the Global Times that spanned 17 countries and 6 continents, showing that China is increasingly being recognized as growing international influence.

More than 60 percent of foreigners believe that China has already established itself as a “global power.” 70 percent acknowledged China’s economic power as a key aspect of its global strength. However, when foreigners were asked which about which country will have the greatest impact on international affairs in the next decade, the majority of respondents chose the United States.

Photo:Kevin Ho

A report released on December 7 sponsored by the Global Public Opinion Research Center gives a fuller image of China’s international status in 2014. Data from surveys taken in multiple foreign countries shows that over 60 percent of foreign respondents believe that China is already a “world power.” 

The survey reported that 64.3 percent of respondents from around the world believe that China has already become a world power. Last year, the figure was 60 percent. It has raised more than 4 percentage points in a year. 21.1 percent of survey respondents believe that China is “not exactly,” a global power and 5.6 percent of respondents believe that China is not a world power. Last year, the number of respondents who believed that China is not a world power was 6.1 percent.

When asked, “Which conditions do you think that China already has to become a world power?,” 71.5 percent of respondents chose, “economic power.” 36.5 percent of respondents chose “political and diplomatic influence,” and 33.3 percent of respondents chose “military strength.” 29.1 percent of respondents believe that cultural influence is an important factor in China’s strength as a world power. In this category, participants could chose more than one factor. The number of respondents who believe that cultural influence is an important part of China’s global power has greatly increased since 2013. In 2013, only 22.2 percent of respondents thought that cultural influence played a role.

Although China is recognized by the majority of foreign survey-takers as a “world power”, when foreigners are asked about which country will have the great impact on international affairs in the next decade most chose the United States. 35.8 percent of respondents put down the United States for this question. 26.8 percent of respondents wrote that China would be the most influential world power in international affairs in the next decade. Last year, 27.7 percent of respondents believed China would be the most influential power in international affairs. In addition, 14.8 percent and 14.1 percent of respondents chose Russia and the EU, respectively.

However, when asked which country will be the most influential in terms of Asian affairs within the next decade 32.1 percent of respondents chose China. 17.6 percent of respondents chose the United States and 15.1 percent chose Japan. Therefore, the majority of foreign respondents believe China will be the most influential world power in terms of Asian affairs.

The Global Public Opinion Research Center survey was conducted by The Global Times and included foreigners from 17 countries and six continents including the BRIC countries, countries in serious territorial disputes with China, developed and developing countries. A total of 17, 553 valid questionnaires were accounted for.

Survey Results: 2014 International Impressions of China’s Global Strength

Do you think that China is already a global power?
Yes
Not Entirely
No
Don’t Know/ Unclear

Source: wenxuecity.com

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