Illustration: Tang Tengfei /GT
Editor’s Note:
According to a recent Global Times survey across 46 countries, nearly 80 percent of respondents expressed optimism about China’s development prospects, with over 90 percent anticipating sustained economic growth over the next decade. This is one of the findings in this global public survey with the largest scale, the largest sample size, and the most comprehensive and in-depth questionnaire designed since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, that seeks to find answers to the global view on China and its development. The Global Times has invited a series of experts to comment on and explore the broader implications of these findings, seeking to provide readers with an in-depth analysis and fresh perspectives on China’s evolving role in the international community. This is the first piece of the series.
As the world faces a new period of turbulence and change, the instability and uncertainty in the international landscape has intensified, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and political and economic divisions are becoming more pronounced. The international community is increasingly calling for improvements in global governance and expects major powers to make rational decisions and take on a more proactive role. In this context, China’s international image as a responsible major power has gained widespread recognition around the world. A survey conducted by the Global Times, which involved 51,332 respondents in 46 countries, revealed that many foreigners hold a favorable view of China. China’s favorable image is a natural consequence of its ongoing enhancement of both soft and hard power.
China is an important driving force for global economic growth. At a time when the world economy is not fully recovered from the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical turmoil dealt a devastating blow to the major economies. Despite the complex internal and external situation, China’s economy has maintained overall stability and made steady progress, providing strong support for the stabilization and recovery of the world economy.
In a recent global opinion poll, international respondents generally evaluated China’s comprehensive national strength and various other strengths as “strong/high.” In particular, the country’s economic strength has the highest favorable rating at 77 percent, highlighting global appreciation for China’s rapid economic development and growth.
China stands as the crucial stabilizer of development confidence. The global economic downturn and political unrest have sparked a rise in protectionism, while the self-serving actions of major powers have contributed to bleak economic outlooks and diminished development confidence. In contrast, China has emerged as one of the most sought-after investment destinations through pragmatic actions. Nearly 80 percent of foreign respondents show confidence in China’s development. More than 90 percent of foreign respondents believe that China’s economy will continue to grow in the next decade.
As China’s economic influence continues to grow, its cultural appeal is also on the rise. In terms of subjective sentiment toward China, 63 percent of foreign respondents expressed a favorable impression, with African countries showing the highest approval at 84 percent. China’s diplomatic practices consistently embody the humanitarian spirit of a “community with a shared future for mankind.” Peaceful development is embedded in the cultural DNA of the Chinese nation, and China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order.
Moreover, China actively provides global public goods, fostering a deeply ingrained image as a responsible major country. Amid intensifying major-power rivalries and escalating civilizational clashes, China has proposed the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, providing material support for global development while explicitly affirming respect for the diversity of civilizations. Through jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative with partner countries, China has advanced poverty alleviation and development, while building a community with a shared future for mankind in order to shape a new form of human civilization.
As China’s status as a major country continues to rise, it will further unify the Global South around a shared development consensus, contribute more “Chinese solutions” to global governance, create greater “Chinese momentum” for global development and growth, and offer more “Chinese opportunities” for the global market.
The author is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of International Relations of Beijing Foreign Studies University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn