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China’s economic clout welcomed by most of the world, but Asian neighbours remain wary: Pew survey

  • Survey finds most people view China’s strong economy as positive, but Beijing’s economic and military might is seen as threatening in the Asia-Pacific
  • China has emerged as a global superpower over the past 70 years, but the US is still regarded as the world’s top economic power

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China’s growing military might was viewed as negative by 58 per cent of people across 18 countries. Photo: Reuters

China’s growing economic strength is seen by most people as positive, but the country’s rise as a global superpower is not making it popular with neighbours in the Asia-Pacific, a survey released on Thursday showed.

The survey of nearly 39,000 people in 34 countries by the Pew Research Centre also showed the world had an overwhelmingly negative view of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Over the past 70 years, China has transformed from an economic backwater to the world’s second largest economy and a major source of foreign investment.

Some 58 per cent of people across 16 countries recognised China’s strong economy as mutually beneficial, while 52 per cent said they see Chinese investment as positive, according to the survey.

China’s economic influence was also perceived as favourable, or slightly more favourable, than that of the US across a median of 17 countries.

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