Archive · 26 Jul 2026
China's Favorability Rises, Economic Data Released, US-China Talks
A recent survey by Pew Research Center found that China is viewed more favorably than the United States in many countries.
This is a big change from the past, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.
China's economic data for the second quarter showed a growth rate of 4.3%, which is lower than expected but still close to their annual target.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Manila to talk about important issues, including tensions in the South China Sea.
The survey also found that while many people still lack confidence in China's leader Xi Jinping, more people have confidence in him than in former US President Donald Trump.
The survey included 42,151 people from 36 countries, including India, the UK, Israel, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
The meeting between Rubio and Wang Yi was held on the sidelines of a gathering led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
China is viewed more favorably than the US in most of the 36 countries surveyed by Pew Research Center.
China's Q2 GDP growth rate was 4.3%, lower than expected but close to the annual target of 4.5% to 5%.
Chinese exports grew by 27% in June compared to last year, but domestic consumption remained low.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Manila to discuss areas of mutual significance.
The meeting addressed issues such as Beijing's conduct in the South China Sea and new coercive threats faced by regional US allies.
- Who
- Pew Research Center, Chinese Government, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
- What
- Survey on global perception of China and the US, release of China's Q2 economic data, meeting between Rubio and Wang Yi
- When
- Survey conducted between February and May, Q2 economic data released recently, meeting in Manila
- Where
- Survey conducted in 36 countries, meeting in Manila
- Why
- To gauge global perception of China and the US, to report economic performance, to discuss areas of mutual significance ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official visit to the US in September
China's Favorability
US Favorability
Global Perception
China's Favorability
China is viewed more positively than the US in most of the 36 countries surveyed, marking a reversal after Covid-19.
US Favorability
The US is still viewed more favourably in some countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, and is seen as respecting personal freedoms more than China.
- Survey Conducted By
- Pew Research Center
- Number of Countries Surveyed
- 36
- Number of People Surveyed
- 42,151
- China's Q2 GDP Growth Rate
- 4.3%
- China's Annual Growth Target
- 4.5% to 5%
- Chinese Exports Growth in June
- 27%
- Domestic Vehicle Sales Decline
- 16%
- Meeting Location
- Manila
- Meeting Context
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathering