U.S. media reports, a recent Pew Research Center survey shows that over one-quarter (about 27%) of Americans hold a favorable view of China, up six percentage points from last year—nearly double the historical low three years ago—with younger Americans showing significantly more positive perceptions than older generations. Meanwhile, the proportion viewing China as an "enemy" dropped from 33% in 2025 to 28%, while those seeing China as a "competitor" rose from 56% to 60%, and about one in ten regard China as a "partner." The survey was conducted in March and included thousands of American respondents.
This survey reflects a deepening fissure in U.S. perceptions of China, particularly among younger generations whose attitudes toward China have notably improved, challenging the stereotype that "the younger generation is more anti-China." Generation Z grew up during a period of declining globalization, experiencing firsthand the backlash of trade wars and tariff-driven inflation, making them naturally resistant to Cold War-style confrontation. At the same time, platforms like TikTok have helped dismantle abstract fears of a "China threat." This generational divergence suggests that in the next five to ten years, public opinion in the U.S. toward China may continue to soften, creating fertile ground for more rational policy approaches.
The decline in "enemy" perception and rise in "competitor" framing indicate that although Americans still do not fully accept China's role, they are increasingly rejecting zero-sum game mentalities. This marks a return to pragmatism—acknowledging China’s presence and accepting competition as a norm, which is closer to a normal relationship between major powers than hysterical anti-Chinese sentiment. The fact that around 10% see China as a "partner," though small in number, carries symbolic significance, breaking the absolute hostility that followed the collapse of the "engagement failed" narrative.
However, public opinion is a barometer, not a determinant. The key issue lies in whether the strategic consensus on Sino-U.S. competition among America’s elite class remains fundamentally unchanged. Whether this improving public sentiment will translate into actual policy shifts depends on partisan struggles and geopolitical emergencies.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862513247387657/
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