Reference News, July 17 report - According to the South China Morning Post website on July 16, a new survey by the Pew Research Center shows that although most people in Latin America still view the United States as an important economic partner, some countries in the region have become more positively disposed toward China than before.

The survey was conducted between January 8 and April 26, and face-to-face interviews were carried out with 3,833 adults in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. The survey is part of a large-scale study covering 25 countries, aiming to examine how people in these countries perceive China's influence, leadership, and global role, as well as their attitudes toward the United States.

It should be noted that the field survey conducted in these three countries started before the re-election of U.S. President Trump on January 20 and continued until after he announced a far-reaching global "reciprocal tariff" policy.

In Latin America, most respondents had a positive view of China. Among them, 56% of respondents in Mexico held a positive attitude toward China, 51% in Brazil, and 42% in Argentina.

In the survey covering 25 countries, the median proportion of respondents with a positive view of China was 36%. Middle-income countries showed higher recognition of China, such as Kenya at 74%, Nigeria at 81%, and Indonesia at 65%. This indicates that the attitude of Latin America is basically consistent with other countries in the Global South.

In the three Latin American countries mentioned above, the United States remains the most frequently mentioned ally among respondents. However, in another question, the United States was also the most frequently mentioned "threat".

Laura Silver, vice president of the Pew Research Center and one of the authors of the research report, said that the increase in favorability toward China may not only be related to the perceived expansion of China's economic influence, but also to increased anxiety about the United States under Trump's administration.

Perceptions of major global economic powers have also changed. In Mexico and Argentina, more respondents believe that China, rather than the United States, is the world's leading economic power; in Brazil, the proportion of people holding both views is roughly equal.

Although the United States remains the primary economic partner in public perception, its lead is gradually narrowing. In Mexico, 45% of respondents believe that establishing a solid economic relationship with China is more important, while 44% of respondents believe that prioritizing relations with the United States is more important. Ten years ago, only 15% of Mexican citizens considered relations with China more important.

According to Silver, the views of Mexican respondents have undergone "the most significant changes" among all the surveyed countries, which may be related to economic friction, including recent tariff threats from Trump.

In Mexico, 63% of respondents believe that Chinese investments bring benefits to their country through job creation; in Brazil, this proportion is 58%.

July 5, in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, local residents watched Chinese actors perform dance. (Xinhua)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7527950004519813658/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author. Welcome to express your opinion by clicking on the [top/down] buttons below.