Among American adults, views about China skew negative in large numbers. Recent survey data indicate that about eight in ten adults hold a negative opinion, with roughly two-fifths expressing a highly negative stance that has risen by a few percentage points compared with the previous year. The patterns come from a comprehensive national survey conducted by a major research institution. Pew Research Center.
When asked to place China on a spectrum of relations, about four in ten Americans classify the country as an adversary rather than a competitor or partner. This reflects a notable shift, showing a gain of about 13 percentage points from the prior year and signaling a more confrontational mood in public discourse about China’s role on the world stage.
The study also highlights public anxiety about China’s global influence. For instance, following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a majority of Americans—approximately six in ten—now view the Sino-Russian partnership as a very serious problem for the United States. This sentiment underscores fears about how alignment between Beijing and Moscow could impact U.S. interests and regional stability.
Concerns about tensions between mainland China and Taiwan are rising as well. Even before a high-profile visit by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to the United States, roughly half of Americans called the situation a very serious problem, with a jump of about 19 percentage points over two years. The public also expresses concern about how China’s human rights record is managed on the international stage, with many Americans viewing it as a pressing issue that shapes their overall assessment of China’s behavior and policies.
While worries about China’s rapid growth in technology and innovation are present, they tend to be less pronounced than concerns about geopolitics and human rights. Nonetheless, a substantial portion of the public—around two in five—still regards China’s advancing tech prowess as a very serious concern, reflecting broader anxieties about global competitiveness, cybersecurity, and the potential implications for national security and economic leadership.
In a broader European context, another regional snapshot emerges. A separate survey reported that a large share of Poles view Russia with hostility, aligning with broader attitudes toward Moscow. The sentiment is echoed in a Council of Europe study, which finds that residents in ten European nations frequently categorize Russia as a rival or potential threat to their own national interests, a perspective held by nearly two-thirds of respondents in those countries. These findings collectively illustrate a wider pattern of apprehension about Russia and China among Western publics, shaped by recent geopolitical events and ongoing human rights considerations.