Recent, trustworthy insights into Chinese views on current affairs are limited.

As China’s global influence grows, understanding how its citizens view domestic and global issues is critical for policymakers, researchers, and the public. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs sought to fill a gap in reliable, representative data on Chinese public sentiment regarding foreign policy, global institutions, the economy, and the U.S.-China relationship. Given the challenges of conducting research in China, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs turned to NORC to design and implement a rigorous, culturally sensitive survey that could inform public discourse and policy decisions.

NORC conducted a nationally representative mobile phone survey of Chinese adults.

NORC designed and implemented a remote CATI survey of one thousand adults in mainland China, conducted via mobile phone by Mandarin-speaking interviewers also trained in other regional dialects. The survey explored Chinese views on global leadership, international institutions, trade, foreign policy, and the U.S.-China relationship. NORC ensured cultural and methodological rigor through pilot testing and quality control protocols. 

1,002 Chinese adults completed the survey. The overall margin of sampling error is +/- 4.1 percentage points.  

The survey revealed strong public confidence in China’s global role and cautious pragmatism toward the United States.

Our survey found that Chinese adults overwhelmingly support an active role for China in world affairs and express high confidence in the country’s current and future global standing. Most respondents view China’s economic power, military strength, and technological innovation as key drivers of its international influence. While many see the United States as a rival rather than a friend, a majority favor a pragmatic approach—supporting cooperation with the United States when appropriate and limiting its power when necessary. 

Respondents also expressed optimism about China’s economic outlook, both currently and in the year ahead, and most believe international trade benefits the Chinese economy, job creation, and their own standard of living. However, concerns remain about threats such as cyberattacks, climate change, and tensions over Taiwan. These findings offer a nuanced view of how Chinese citizens perceive their country’s role in the world and its complex relationship with the United States.