73% of Adults in 14 Countries Including Korea, US, France, and Germany Hold Negative Views of China

Survey of 14,276 US Adults by Pew Research
South Korea and China Negative Perceptions Reach 75%, Highest This Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] A survey conducted among adults in 14 countries, including South Korea, the United States, Canada, France, and Germany, revealed that three out of four respondents held a negative view of China.

On the 6th (local time), the U.S. polling organization Pew Research Center surveyed 14,276 adults from 14 countries, including South Korea, the United States, Canada, France, and Germany, between June and August. The average negative perception of China across these countries was 73%, marking the highest level since the survey began.

In South Korea, 29% of respondents were very negative and 46% somewhat negative, totaling 75% with a negative perception of China. Negative views of China have risen from 37% in 2015 to 61% in 2017, 63% last year, and reached a peak this year.

This evaluation is analyzed to have surged compared to last year due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In Australia, which has been in conflict with China over investigations into the origin of COVID-19, negative public opinion toward China jumped from 57% last year to 81% this year. This 24 percentage point increase is the largest among the surveyed countries.

Senior researcher Laura Silver stated, "Negative public opinion toward China is rising sharply," adding, "This is related to China's inadequate handling of COVID-19."

When asked about trust in Chinese President Xi Jinping, an average of 78% across the 14 countries responded that they do not trust him, with 83% of South Korean respondents expressing distrust.

This trust level is lower than that of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but higher than that of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Pew Research interpreted in its report that "evaluations of President Xi are closely related to China's response to COVID-19," and "those who believe China handled COVID-19 well are more likely to trust President Xi."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.