That’s my passion as a researcher. I’ve conducted surveys in Cuba, Vietnam, Russia during wartime, and now China. These aren’t your typical consumer preference studies—they’re attempts to understand public sentiment in societies where such research is extraordinarily rare and methodologically challenging.

When the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Carter Center approached NORC to survey Chinese public opinion, we knew we were tackling something unique. Recent, trustworthy insights into what ordinary Chinese citizens think about current affairs are virtually nonexistent. You turn on business channels and hear about Chinese economic indicators, or politicians discussing Taiwan, but what about the street-level perspective? What do regular Chinese people think about their country’s global role, economic prospects, and relationship with the United States?

What struck me most about our findings was the degree of belief in stability in Chinese public sentiment. Despite youth unemployment concerns and geopolitical tensions, we didn’t discover feelings of despair or panic. Instead, we found sober economic optimism, a pragmatically balanced outlook, with the Chinese public overwhelmingly supporting their country’s active global role and expressing high confidence in China’s current and future international standing.

Perhaps most noteworthy was the nuanced attitude toward the United States. While many Chinese view America as a rival rather than a friend, the majority favor pragmatic cooperation when appropriate while supporting limits on U.S. power when necessary. This isn’t the hostile, zero-sum mentality often portrayed in political commentary.

I also observed heightened interest in current affairs. Universal internet access and increased mobility seem to have created a more globally engaged Chinese public, interested in international events beyond just making a living. Of course, we must also be mindful that members of the public with an interest in public affairs may have a greater propensity to participate in a public affairs survey than those who elected to opt out.

Our survey achieved true national representation across rural and urban populations, geographic regions, and demographic groups—a methodological accomplishment that helps this study withstand scrutiny. We provide something unique that really gives a glimpse into what Chinese people think. We know what their leaders think, we know the economic indicators, but we let ordinary voices be heard—nationwide, not just in the biggest cities.

The Chinese public demonstrates confidence in their country’s economic power, military strength, and technological innovation as drivers of global influence, while maintaining measured optimism about economic prospects despite acknowledged challenges.

The pragmatic approach toward U.S. relations suggests opportunities for cooperation even amid strategic competition. Chinese attitudes toward Taiwan, while clearly viewing reunification as desirable, showed less hostility toward Taiwanese authorities than we anticipated.

For policymakers seeking to understand China’s trajectory, our findings suggest that Chinese public opinion provides genuine legitimacy for the government’s international posture. This isn’t merely state control—it’s likely popular support rooted in tangible improvements in living standards and national standing.

The pragmatic attitude toward the United States suggests that Chinese public opinion won’t necessarily drive toward confrontation, even if it supports protecting Chinese interests. This creates space for diplomatic engagement on issues of mutual concern.

Understanding this public sentiment becomes crucial as both countries navigate complex global challenges. The Chinese public we surveyed isn’t looking for conflict, but they clearly expect their country to be treated as an equal on the world stage.

NORC is uniquely positioned to conduct these challenging international surveys because of our methodological expertise and cultural sensitivity. This work represents part of our broader effort to establish NORC as a powerhouse in international public opinion research—filling critical knowledge gaps in societies where such data is desperately needed but difficult to obtain.