Pew Research Center reports released on July 15, 2026, indicate that China is now viewed more favourably than the United States in most countries surveyed. A primary report, "People in Many Countries Now View China More Positively Than the U.S. " compared international perceptions of both nations. The study surveyed 42,151 adults across 36 countries between February 8 and May 13, 2026. This research found that China received more favourable ratings than the United States in 25 of those countries. Conversely, the United States drew stronger ratings than China in only six nations. The findings represent a significant reversal in international opinion between 2023 and 2026.
Global Perceptions Reversal
Public attitudes toward China have recovered from historic lows recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Pew Research Center findings. The improvement in China's image has been particularly strong in middle-income countries across Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Many of these nations increasingly regard China as a dependable economic and diplomatic partner, while confidence in the United States and its leadership has weakened. This shift in perception marks a notable change in global sentiment.
Data from 20 countries surveyed annually shows that the median favorable rating of the United States fell from 58 percent in 2023 to 36 percent in 2026. Conversely, China’s median favorable rating increased from 32 percent in 2023 to 46 percent in 2026. This decline in America’s international standing became particularly noticeable during the first two years of President Donald Trump’s second term. The reports highlight a clear trend where China's global standing has improved significantly while that of the United States has declined in parallel.
Regional and Country-Specific Data
In Canada, Pew Research data from 2023 indicated that 57 percent of respondents viewed the United States favorably, while only 14 percent held a positive opinion of China. By 2025, ratings for both the U.S. And China were similar in Canada. However, in 2026, 44 percent of Canadians expressed a favorable view of China, surpassing the 33 percent who viewed Washington positively. This represents a significant shift in Canadian public opinion over a short period.
Shifting to South Asia, 90 percent of respondents in Pakistan expressed a favorable opinion of China, compared with only 15 percent who viewed the United States positively. This substantial difference shows a strong pro-China sentiment in the nation. In Southeast Asia, China drew significant favorability. Seventy-five percent of respondents in Malaysia viewed China favorably, alongside 73 percent in Singapore. Indonesia and Sri Lanka also showed strong positive sentiment towards China, with 72 percent of respondents in both countries viewing it favorably. Thailand recorded a 69 percent favorable rating for China, while Bangladesh showed 56 percent of respondents viewing China positively. These figures demonstrate a widespread positive reception of China across diverse Southeast Asian and South Asian nations.
Across Africa, China also registered high favorability. In Nigeria, 78 percent of respondents held a favorable view of China, exceeding the 63 percent who viewed the United States positively. Kenya reported a 76 percent favorable rating for China, against 63 percent for the United States. South Africa's data indicated that 52 percent of respondents viewed China favorably, compared with 35 percent for the U.S. These statistics from sub-Saharan Africa further illustrate China's growing positive image in the region. In Ghana, 68 percent of respondents viewed the United States favorably, while 64 percent expressed a positive opinion of China, indicating a more balanced but still strong positive view of China.
Confidence in Leadership and Partnership
A second report from the Pew Research Center, titled "Views of China and Xi Are Improving Globally," specifically examined China’s international image and public confidence in President Xi Jinping. This survey collected data from 45,658 respondents across 37 countries, including the United States, between February 8 and May 13, 2026. The findings from this report provide deeper insights into the factors driving China's improved standing.
Confidence in President Xi Jinping's ability to act appropriately in global affairs was highest in Pakistan, with 83 percent of respondents expressing such confidence. Similar levels of trust were reported in other nations, with 73 percent in Kenya, 67 percent in Singapore, and 66 percent in Malaysia. In both Nigeria and Indonesia, 62 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Xi Jinping, while 61 percent did so in Bangladesh. These high confidence levels in Xi Jinping in various countries reflect a perception of strong and effective leadership.
Respondents in 22 countries indicated greater confidence in President Xi Jinping than in former President Donald Trump. In South Africa, 46 percent expressed confidence in Xi Jinping, whereas 26 percent expressed confidence in Trump. Conversely, in Israel, 66 percent expressed confidence in Trump, while only 10 percent held the same view of Xi Jinping. This disparity notes divergent views on global leadership depending on the region.
Across 17 middle-income countries surveyed, a median of 69 percent of respondents characterized China as a reliable partner. In comparison, 49 percent of respondents in these same countries described the United States as a reliable partner. This significant gap shows China's perceived dependability in these key developing regions.
Perceptions of Global Role and Concerns
Across all 37 countries covered by the second report, a median of 51 percent held a favorable opinion of China, with 39 percent viewing the country negatively. Fifty-eight percent believed China contributes to global peace and stability, compared to 40 percent who held that view of the US. 57 percent stated that China considers the interests of countries like theirs when making international policy decisions, whereas 42 percent said the same for the United States. These figures suggest a growing international belief in China's positive global influence and its consideration of other nations' perspectives.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 88 percent of Kenyans described China as a reliable partner. Similarly, 76 percent of Nigerians and 72 percent of South Africans considered China a reliable partner. In Ghana, 69 percent described China as a reliable partner. These figures show the strong perception of China as a trustworthy ally within the African continent. Across 17 middle-income countries, 75 percent said the United States interferes in other nations' domestic affairs, while 45 percent expressed this opinion about China. This perception of non-interference by China may contribute to its higher favorability in these regions. Across all 37 countries, only 26 percent believed the Chinese Government respects its people's freedoms, while 59 percent said it does not. Separately, 39 percent said the American Government respects its citizens' rights, indicating that while China faces scrutiny on human rights, the US also has room for improvement in global perceptions of its domestic policies.
Lingering Doubts and Threats
Despite the overall positive trend, concerns persist in certain regions. Only 11 percent of Japanese respondents viewed China favorably, according to the Pew Research Center. The research indicated that China was frequently identified as a threat in Japan, the Philippines, Australia, South Korea, and India. Concerns about territorial disputes involving China were particularly high in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. The Pew Research Center concluded that China’s improving image does not mean international concerns about its domestic and foreign policies have disappeared. Sierra Leone was not among the countries covered by either survey.