Chinese Post-90s Generation More Anti-American Than Older Generations... Cause: Trump

Young Adults Born After the 1990s More Negative Toward the U.S. Than Those Born Before the 1960s
"Aftereffects of Trump's Anti-China Rhetoric, Trade War, Capitol Riot" Diagnosed
Negative Views of Chinese Among Americans Also Deepening

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A survey has revealed that the anti-American sentiment among Chinese youth born after the 1990s, known as ‘Jiulinghou (九零后·post-90s)’, is stronger than that of the middle-aged and elderly generations. The main cause of the deteriorating perception of the United States was identified as the anti-China rhetoric and policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

On the 16th, Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP) cited this research result published by the China International Politics Journal, reporting that "Jiulinghou are more negative toward the U.S. than the older generations," and that "former President Trump is likely a major driver of this worsened perception." The survey was conducted twice, before and after the U.S. presidential election, from October 29 to November 3, 2020, and from January 25 to February 2 of this year, targeting 2,000 Chinese men and women, categorized by age.

According to the survey, those born in China after the 1990s were 9% less likely than the oldest cohort born before the 1960s to believe that the U.S. considers China’s interests when formulating foreign policy, and 5% less likely to view the U.S. as having a positive impact on China’s economy. Trust in the White House was also 16% lower than that of the older generations. The report explained, "The expressions and policies used by former President Trump toward China played a significant role in worsening perceptions of the U.S.," and added, "Furthermore, following the Capitol riot in January last year, the Chinese public appears to have reassessed the state of bilateral relations and their global standing." It also analyzed that "the worldview and Sino-U.S. relations of those born after the 1990s, who will play a leading role in Chinese society for decades to come, will influence numerous policy areas."

Additionally, the survey found that while highly educated individuals evaluated relations with the U.S. negatively, Chinese people with personal contact experience with the U.S. were 7% more likely to trust the U.S. president and believe that the U.S. respects civil liberties.

In the first survey conducted before the election, 75% of Chinese respondents judged that relations between the U.S. and China had deteriorated, but this figure dropped to 64% immediately after President Joe Biden took office. However, the report forecasted that "this could change over time as President Biden continues existing policies toward China."

Meanwhile, negative views of China among Americans are also deepening. According to a Gallup poll last month, only 20% of Americans held a favorable view of China. In a survey by the Pew Research Center last year, 76% of American respondents held a negative view of China.

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