Attitudes Toward China
Surveys suggest that many Americans do not know what to make of China. Since the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989, general public attitudes toward the Chinese government have tended to be unfavorable, but few Americans say China is an enemy of the U.S. However, more than half also say the development of China as a superpower is a critical threat to the U.S. and majorities say China will play a greater role in the next decade than it does today. When it comes to specific policy questions, Americans appear divided and unsure, and responses often vary depending on question wording. Survey researchers consider a double-digit "don't know" response a warning sign that an issue may not be well understood and public attitudes may not be stable.
Surveys suggest that many Americans do not know what to make of China. Since the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989, general public attitudes toward the Chinese government have tended to be unfavorable, but few Americans say China is an enemy of the U.S. However, more than half also say the development of China as a superpower is a critical threat to the U.S. and majorities say China will play a greater role in the next decade than it does today. When it comes to specific policy questions, Americans appear divided and unsure, and responses often vary depending on question wording. Survey researchers consider a double-digit "don't know" response a warning sign that an issue may not be well understood and public attitudes may not be stable.
- Americans are divided on whether China is a friend of the U.S., but few say China is an enemy
- Americans have been more likely to say they have an unfavorable view of China since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown
- More than half say the development of China as a superpower is a critical threat to the U.S. and majorities say ...
- Most Americans say they oppose sending U.S. troops to intervene if China invaded Taiwan, but some are not sure
- Survey questions on China often find a substantial number of "don't know" responses
- While majorities say they favor trade with China, half say that their trading practices are unfair
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