A survey conducted by British Broadcast Corporation (BBC) in 22 countries worldwide shows that China now is enjoying the respect and esteem of the world, and people across the world are holding a positive view on China's rapid economic development, peaceful emergence on the international stage as well as its influence on the world.  

Globe Scan, a company specializing in national survey, conducted the survey and more than 23,000 people in 22 countries were involved in December last year.

48% interviewees hold positive view

The survey shows that 17 countries hold positive view on "Chinese influence in the world" out of total 22 countries involved, and averagely 48 percent interviewees have positive views on Chinese influence, which is much higher than that on the US and Russia, and only 30 percent of the interviewees voice their negative impression against Chinese influence. People who hold negative opinion against China are mainly from Germany, the US and Poland and the interviewees who hold negative views against China are less than half of the total interviewees from 22 countries. The survey indicates that the young interviewees, especially aging between 18 and 29, are likely to hold positive view on China.

Asian neighbors hold relatively favorable view on China

The survey shows that neighboring countries have relatively favorable view on China, particularly India, with 66 percent interviewees holding positive view on China, followed by the Philippines 70 percent, Indonesia 68 percent and Australia 56 percent. However, the favorable opinion and negative view from South Korean interviewees are half-and-half, with 49 percent against 47 percent. Twenty-two percent of Japanese interviewees have positive opinion on China and 25 percent hold negative, and as high as 53 percent of Japanese interviewees hold no opinion on China.

World hopes China adopts soft power

Global Scan president said that the reason for China to win worldwide respect lies in its remarkable economic achievements and most people expect further development of China's economy. However, the world does not support military means to solve problems and hopes China adopts soft power such as economic and cultural powers as well as diplomatic speech to convince the world.

(People's Daily March 10, 2005)