Survey Summary: This global survey was specifically implemented by the Global Times Research Institute. The survey country sample includes 15 developed countries and 31 developing countries, covering representative countries from all continents as well as G20 countries, 9 BRICS countries, and 10 ASEAN countries. It does not include China. The selection of the survey subject samples, questionnaire distribution, and data collection were carried out in accordance with industry standards. The survey method adopted appropriate methods based on the actual situation of each country, including face-to-face interviews (CAPI/PAPI), computer-assisted telephone surveys (CATI), and large-scale member sample online surveys (Online). The survey subjects are ordinary people aged 18 to 70. During the data collection process, a certain degree of quota restrictions were applied to the composition of the sample group according to the population characteristics of each country. The survey period was from August to October 2025. A total of 51,689 valid sample data were obtained.
In 2025, the world is accelerating its evolution amidst turmoil and chaos. The interactivity between China's development and the world's pattern is continuously increasing, and China's influence on global growth, technological transformation, and global governance is becoming more far-reaching and positive. To continue observing how the world views China, Global Times once again conducted the "Global Survey on China's International Image" among 46 countries and approximately 51,700 people, objectively, comprehensively, and accurately understanding the foreign public's impressions, perceptions, and evaluations of China.
The Thought of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era by Xi Jinping is highly recognized by the international community
This survey selected some important concepts from the Thought of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era by Xi Jinping and asked the opinions of foreign respondents. "Building a community with a shared future for mankind" and "Green waters and green mountains are golden mountains and silver seas" have been recognized by nearly 80% of international public opinion. "Comprehensively strictly governing the Party," "comprehensively deepening reform," and "putting people at the center" have been recognized by more than 70%. In these five aspects, the recognition rate of public opinion in developing countries exceeds 80%, and that in developed countries exceeds 60%.
Regarding the "Global Development Initiative," "Global Security Initiative," and "Global Civilization Initiative" proposed by President Xi Jinping to the international community (note: at the time of this survey, the "Global Governance Initiative" had not yet been proposed) as well as the "Belt and Road" initiative, the recognition rate of foreign respondents exceeded 70%, an increase compared to 2024.
Concepts such as implementing the spirit of the Eight-point Regulation and formulating five-year plans have received international praise
This survey introduced the Communist Party of China's in-depth implementation of the spirit of the Eight-point Regulation and other concepts and practices of comprehensive strict party governance. According to the survey data, nearly 70% of foreign respondents held a positive attitude, recognizing that "the ruling party members should be held to higher standards than ordinary citizens" or "strict requirements." This proportion reached or exceeded 70% in BRICS countries, ASEAN countries, and African countries, and over 60% in European countries and Middle Eastern countries.
2025 is the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan and also the year to plan and layout the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). This survey introduced China's experience in formulating and implementing the five-year plan. More than three-quarters of foreign respondents had objective and positive cognition and evaluation of it, acknowledging that "this is an important experience for China to achieve economic and social development" and recognizing that the five-year plan "is worth learning and drawing lessons from by their own government." This proportion exceeded 80% in BRICS countries, Middle Eastern countries, ASEAN countries, and African countries.
Optimistic about China's economic growth and recognize China's international status
Survey data show that more than 80% of foreign respondents gave a positive evaluation of China's economic growth in 2025. The proportion in developed countries was 75%, and in developing countries was 86%. Nearly 90% of respondents expressed confidence in China's sustained economic growth over the next 10 years, with the confidence level of developing countries being higher, with a ratio 20 percentage points higher than that of developed countries.
More than 78% of foreign respondents recognized that China's overall national strength is enhancing, an increase of 8 percentage points compared to 2024. The proportion in developed countries, G7 countries, and ASEAN countries increased by more than 10 percentage points. More than 80% of respondents recognized that China's economic strength and technological strength are strong, with the ratio also increasing compared to last year. In the ranking of major countries' international status, 25%, 29%, and 17% of foreign respondents ranked China first, second, and third, respectively, with the comprehensive calculation score ranking second. Compared to 2024, the proportion of those who ranked China first increased by 5 percentage points. 44% ranked the United States first, a decrease of 3 percentage points.
International public opinion has a good impression of China, is willing to get close, and has high interest in Chinese culture and technology
Survey data show that nearly 69% of foreign respondents have a favorable view of China, an increase of 6 percentage points compared to 2024. The favorability of Middle Eastern countries and ASEAN countries exceeds 70%, while that of BRICS countries and African countries is close to or exceeds 80%. The proportions of favorable impressions of China (64%) and Chinese people (66%) among foreign respondents increased by 5 and 10 percentage points, respectively, compared to 2024. The proportions of favorable impressions in various dimensions also showed different degrees of year-on-year growth. The proportion of favorable impressions of China's science and technology is 80%, and the proportion of favorable impressions of the Chinese people's spirit of struggle and innovation exceeds three-quarters. Through statistical analysis of keywords, the most deeply impressed aspects of China among foreign people in 2025 include economy, technology, culture, science and technology, development, strength, good, advanced, and innovation.
More than 90% of foreign respondents said they are interested in China, with more than 40% having a high degree of interest. The main interest point of developed countries towards China is "culture," while that of developing countries is "technology." This survey listed some emerging things related to China in recent years, among which TikTok and online shopping have a usage rate of about 60% among foreign respondents, and the awareness rate of robots, drones, and intelligent driving cars exceeds 80% among foreign respondents.
The survey also found that media news reports and online social platforms are the two main channels through which foreign respondents learn about China. Under the transit visa exemption policy, 3/4 of foreign respondents expressed willingness to visit China in the future, a proportion that has increased compared to 2024. Further investigation into the willingness to visit found that travel tourism was the most selected (49%), followed by shopping (23%).
Expecting China to participate in international affairs and reform and improve global governance
In May 2025, the signing ceremony of the International Mediation Convention was held in Hong Kong, China. Over half of foreign respondents expect the International Mediation Institution to contribute to promoting peaceful resolution of disputes and promoting friendly cooperation among countries. More than 60% expect China to participate in promoting the resolution of international hotspots such as the Ukraine crisis, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the Iran-Israel conflict. More than 70% expect China to participate more in international affairs or play a greater role in the future, with the proportion increasing compared to previous years. In terms of promoting the international order toward a fair and reasonable direction, mediating and coordinating international/regional hotspots, as well as trade and economic cooperation, educational, scientific, and cultural cooperation, the proportion of international public opinion expecting China to take more actions is around 80%.
Close to 60% (58%) of foreign respondents expect the future international order to be a multi-polar system characterized by equality and order, where every country participates equally in international affairs. The proportion in BRICS countries, ASEAN countries, and African countries exceeds 60%. 2025 is the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. The survey data show that nearly 70% of foreign respondents support the current international system centered on the United Nations, with 36% supporting reform and improvement of the existing international system.
Regarding the concept of "building a community with a shared future for mankind," more than 70% of foreign respondents expressed agreement, with the agreement rate in African countries exceeding 80%, and that in BRICS countries and Middle Eastern countries exceeding three-quarters. That in ASEAN countries exceeds 70%, and that in European countries is close to 70%.
International public opinion continues to expect the U.S.-China relationship to improve, with a higher favorability towards China than towards the U.S.
In the overall international public opinion, more than 70% hope that the future U.S.-China relationship will "tend to ease" or "remain stable," with more than 40% hoping "to tend to ease" and more than 30% hoping "to remain stable," with the overall data showing similar performance to 2024. The proportion of public opinion in developed countries, European countries, ASEAN countries, and BRICS countries expecting the U.S.-China relationship to ease increased compared to the previous year.
In the comparison of "which country has a higher favorability," the proportion of international public opinion choosing China is 39%, which is 1.5 times that of the United States (26%), and the proportion of those choosing both to be similar is 25%. Compared to 2024, the proportion of international public opinion selecting China as having a higher favorability increased by 9 percentage points, while that of the United States decreased by about 8 percentage points.
The U.S. government's imposition of high tariffs globally has caused widespread concern and criticism. More than 60% (63%) of foreign respondents hold critical and opposing opinions, believing it to be "unilateral bullying," "regressive measures," or "undermining international trade rules." 43% worry that it will raise living costs. The Chinese government has taken a firm opposition stance and effective countermeasures, with more than 70% of foreign respondents expressing approval. The approval rate in African countries reaches 80%, and that in BRICS countries, ASEAN countries, and Middle Eastern countries exceeds 70%, with the approval rate in European countries also exceeding two-thirds.
Regarding some of the U.S. government's diplomatic policies and actions (such as demanding the return of Panama Canal sovereignty, proposing claims to Greenland's sovereignty, military strikes against Iran, and stating "in the international system, you are either at the table or on the menu"), nearly 70% of foreign public opinion believe that this would have negative impacts on the international community. More than one-third chose "severely undermining the existing international order and basic principles of international relations, representing new imperialism," and more than one-third chose "seriously damaging relations between countries, representing hegemonism and power politics, leading the international community back to the jungle law."
Hoping that the relationship between their country and China will become more friendly in the future
The 2025 Central Meeting on Neighboring Countries emphasized focusing on building a community with a shared future for neighboring countries and striving to create a new situation in neighboring work. More than 75% of foreign respondents gave positive and objective evaluations of China's neighborhood diplomacy policy, believing that "China's security and stability promote the security and stability of neighboring areas," "China's development drives the development of neighboring countries," and "geographical proximity, frequent exchanges, and more opportunities for cooperation."
More than 80% of foreign respondents believe that their country and China have normal, friendly, or strategic partnership relations, an increase compared to 2024. Developing countries, Middle Eastern countries, ASEAN countries, African countries, and BRICS countries are more inclined to regard China as a "strategic partner" or "friendly country," while developed countries and European countries are more inclined to view China as a "normal relationship country."
Survey data show that more than two-thirds of foreign respondents hope that the relationship between their country and China will improve in the future, an increase of about 5 percentage points compared to 2024. The proportion in African countries, Middle Eastern countries, and BRICS countries is around 80%, while that in ASEAN countries and European countries exceeds 60%. Compared to 2024, the proportion of public opinion in Middle Eastern countries and BRICS countries hoping for a better relationship with China increased by 10 percentage points.
Regarding the most suitable solution to the South China Sea issue, more than 70% of ASEAN countries support the disputing parties negotiating and consulting, setting aside disputes, and jointly developing resources, with the proportion of Filipino respondents being more than 60%.
Additionally, an analysis of demographic differences in the survey data found that younger and more educated groups among foreign respondents are more interested in China, more willing to engage, have more favorable opinions, and stronger recognition. This is basically consistent with the global survey data from 2024. (Author: Zhang Qi, Yi Jia, Liu Siyin)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7589081870327988776/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.