Global perceptions offer food for thought: China Daily editorial

Western media have long dominated the global narrative, often labeling China in ways that lack accuracy and objectivity. For people in many countries, their understanding of China has been shaped largely by fragmented media portrayals.

In recent years, however, developments such as China's visa-free policies, growing cross-border exchanges, the global reach of Chinese products, and the proliferation of online videos through the rise of social media have begun to break down these information barriers.

As people increasingly gain direct exposure to China, public perceptions are gradually shifting — and with them, the tide of international opinion is starting to turn, as the latest survey by the Pew Research Center suggests.

Its recent poll indicates that China is now viewed more favorably than the United States in 25 out of 36 surveyed countries, including Canada and Mexico. The change, which marks the first time in about two decades that China has surpassed the US in the survey on global public opinion, underscores the evolving dynamics of international relations.

Conducted from February to May and covering more than 42,000 people, the survey coincided with heightened geopolitical tensions, including the attack by the US and Israel on Iran. Other issues that might have affected global perceptions of the US include its repeated threats to take control of Greenland, the US military raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, and the US handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza, according to researchers involved in the study.

By comparison, China is seen as a more reliable partner in many places. It's more likely to contribute to global peace and stability, said Laura Silver, associate director of Pew's Global Attitudes Research and one of the researchers on the study.

Though Silver did not go into specifics, it is evident that China's extensive global engagement, characterized by mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, has won the hearts of an increasing number of people worldwide. The Belt and Road Initiative, which connects countries through a vast network of railways, ports and roads, has significantly boosted global trade, investment and growth. Additionally, China's contribution of around 30 percent to global economic growth and its pivotal role in global industry and supply chains have provided significant stability to the uncertain global economy.

The Chinese embassy in the US attributed the overall positive sentiment toward China to the country's "governance achievements and development progress", which are recognized by more and more people around the world.

Yet despite that, given the poll's limitations, the Pew survey should not lead to complacency. It should be seen that long-standing biases in the West may continue to perpetuate stereotypes about China that will take time to overcome. The result of the survey should therefore be viewed with due caution.

Nevertheless, the US' withdrawal from international agreements and multilateral institutions in recent years — along with its rejection of multilateralism and opposition to economic globalization — runs counter to the principles that the international community has long championed.

China, on the other hand, continues to support economic globalization and a multipolar world, which aligns with the world's hopes to address global challenges through multilateralism.

This growing divergence is inevitably influencing many countries' perception of the US, as some observers said. This explains why the survey found that its sampled interviewees in major European countries — including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands — have all switched their opinions in favor of China.

Development is the hard truth. International recognition ultimately rests on a country's actions. China should continue its pursuit of high-quality development and expand high-standard opening-up. By persistently sharing development opportunities with the world, China can continuously contribute to the building of a better world and win the international community's recognition.