Chinese (Photo : Getty Images)
A new survey by the Pew Research Center in Washington D.C. shows a baffling love-hate relationship by ordinary Chinese towards the United States, an ambivalence that's weaker among younger Chinese who tend to like the U.S. more.
For one, Chinese believe the U.S. is the "top threat" facing China. The poll showed that 45 percent of the 3,154 respondents consider U.S. power and influence to be a "major threat." Another 52 percent were concerned the US is attempting to limit China's ability to become an equal geopolitical power. Only 29 percent believe Washington is willing to accept Beijing's rising influence.
Strangely, however, half of the respondents had a "favorable opinion" of the US, including 60 percent of those between 18 and 34 years old.
The poll showed 77 percent of respondents said their "way of life needs to be protected against foreign influence" compared to 64% in 2002, an indicator of the speed of change gripping Chinese society.
The survey revealed 35 percent of respondents considered economic instability the greatest threat to their country. Another 34 percent said that greatest threat is climate change while 15 percent identified ISIL as that threat.
The survey also revealed that 75 percent of Chinese believe China plays "a more important role in world affairs" than a decade ago. This compares with only 21 percent of Americans, 23 percent of Europeans and 68 percent of Indians.
The survey also showed that Chinese also want the Communist Party of China to first pay attention to domestic problems. It revealed 56 percent of Chinese want their leaders to focus on the country's problems such as official corruption, which most said was a problem.
Growing inequality is also a concern, with 37 percent describing the gap between rich and poor as a "very big problem."
Other worries include food safety (74 percent); air pollution (70 percent) and rising prices (74 percent).
