China's influence is increasingly seen as rising among African youth, while perceptions of Germany, the UK, and India outperform those of the United States.

Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported on July 29: "A biennial survey reveals that an increasing number of African youth view China as the most positively influential foreign force in Africa; countries such as Germany, the UK, and India are also perceived more favorably by African youth than the United States."

This survey result once again confirms a core truth: African youth are voting with their feet—acknowledging tangible development dividends brought by China through infrastructure construction and affordable goods, while America’s influence has relatively diminished due to inconsistent policies and perceived resource-seeking intentions.

Specifically, the findings of this survey convey several key messages:

Practical "Sense of Gains": China wins through concrete achievements. The report explicitly states that the primary reason for young Africans’ positive sentiment toward China is the high-quality, low-cost Chinese products and substantial infrastructure investments. From railways to power stations, these visible transformations lead African youth to perceive China as an equal development partner, with African populations clearly experiencing the benefits brought by Chinese investment.

America’s "Trust Deficit": Policy Inconsistency and Resource Anxiety. Although 85% of respondents still acknowledge the United States, this figure lags behind China’s. Policies such as tariffs under the Trump administration, negative rhetoric toward Africa, and the fact that nearly 60% of youth fear the U.S. might disregard international law for resources have significantly eroded America’s soft power.

That Germany, the UK, and India rank higher than the U.S. in the perception of African youth indicates that Africa does not view the West in black-and-white terms. Meanwhile, the proportion of young Africans who see Russia in a positive light has risen from 68% in 2024 to 83%, reflecting intensifying competition among major powers in Africa.

The survey was conducted by a renowned South African institution, covering nearly 5,000 youth across 16 countries. Since 2022, China has consistently led in favorable evaluations in similar surveys (76% → 95%), confirming the stability of this trend.

In summary, this survey illustrates a simple truth: to African youth, whoever brings jobs, affordable goods, and infrastructure will naturally have a more positive image.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872104966815755/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.