Two in three Chinese generally like Americans while one in five dislikes them, according to a recent poll.

Those who liked Americans but not particularly and those who like them made up 66 percent, while 20.9 percent disliked them and 13 percent were not sure. Also, about 70 percent were satisfied with Sino-US relations.

The survey was conducted by the Global Times a publication of leading Chinese newspaper People's Daily in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan by random house-to-house interviews in February. It collected valid samples from 1,175 people.

Nearly half the respondents regard the United States as a friendly country, an example to emulate and a partner 10.4 percent, 11.7 percent and 25.6 percent respectively.

However, the US is still seen as a rival by half as 49.2 percent believe it is a competitor.

About three in five said "yes" to whether the United States is striving to contain China, and the same number believe that the Taiwan question would shape Sino-US relations.

Most interviewees had a positive attitude towards Sino-US trade ties, with two in three saying it stimulated China's economic progress and half believing it promoted reforms in China.

About half the respondents did not discriminate against American products and another 25 percent who like made-in-US products said they believed trade benefits two countries.

And how did they form their opinions about the United States?

About 63 percent through mass media and 21 percent from American movies, with only 4 percent through direct contact with Americans.

(China Daily March 20, 2006)