Summary of Key Findings
Recent global surveys by Pew and Gallup have shown that China’s overall popularity has surpassed that of the United States for the first time, ending America’s nearly 20-year lead. This reversal is mainly due to the increased appeal of Chinese culture, the recognition of its development model, and the decline in U.S. soft power caused by internal and foreign policy instability. However, this advantage is not universal (countries in the Indo-Pacific region surrounding China still favor the United States) and may not be sustainable—America’s decline is cyclical (it could happen with a change in government or under new leadership), while China has structural shortcomings in its soft power foundation.
I. The Reversal of Favorability Towards China: A Historic Change for the First Time in 20 Years
Pew’s survey of 42,000 people in 36 countries found that most countries view China more favorably than the United States. Gallup’s data from 2025 indicates that China’s median support rate (36%) slightly exceeds that of the U.S. (31%) among over 130 countries, marking the largest lead for China in nearly 20 years. More importantly, in 20 countries that were tracked, public confidence in China’s leaders is 10 percentage points higher than in U.S. President Donald Trump. This represents a complete reversal of America’s global image advantage over China in the past 20 years and signifies a fundamental shift in global public opinion regarding the two countries.
II. The Rise in China’s Popularity: A Combination of Culture, Development Model, and Diplomacy
1. Cultural Appeal from the Bottom Up: Young people in the West are learning about Chinese culture through online influencers’ live broadcasts and experiencing China’s high-speed rail; cultural products such as “The Monkey King” and “Nezha 2” have become hits, demonstrating that “Sinicization” is becoming a trend in the West—something that was previously a strength of Japan and South Korea.
2. Recognition of the Development Model: China’s leadership in electric vehicles, batteries, and infrastructure has made its development model widely recognized. Even the United States, despite mocking it, often has to adopt its practices (such as infrastructure policies).
3. Precise Diplomatic Positioning: Through initiatives on global development, security, and civilization, China has positioned itself as a provider of public goods and a defender of countries in the Global South (Asia, Africa, Latin America), earning their goodwill.
III. The Sharp Drop in U.S. Popularity: A Decline in Soft Power Caused by Its Own Actions
The main reason for the reversal is not that China has become stronger, but rather that the United States has mishandled its affairs:
- Internal and Foreign Policy Instability: Trump’s tariff policies have harmed the global economy, and cuts in aid and disdain for allies (such as increased tariffs on European partners) have made the U.S. appear unreliable.
- Dropping Trust Among Allies: Sweden’s perception of the U.S. as a “reliable partner” has dropped from 66% in 2022 to 19%, and Canada’s has dropped from 63% to 33%; in contrast, these countries’ favorability towards China has increased (Sweden from 15% to 27%, Canada from 21% to 44%).
- Dismal Net Support Rates: Gallup data shows that the U.S.’s net support rate in 2025 will be -15% (a historical low), while China’s is only -1%. This indicates that the U.S. has continuously made mistakes, handing over its advantages.
IV. The Limitations of this Reversal: Neighboring Countries in the Indo-Pacific Region Still Side with the United States
The reversal in popularity is not universal. The United States still maintains high support rates in six countries, four of which are in the Indo-Pacific region surrounding China: India, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea. For example, 81% of Filipinos consider the U.S. reliable, compared to only 42% who favor China—this is directly related to maritime disputes between China and the Philippines. These countries still trust the United States due to geopolitical factors, highlighting the limitations of China’s popularity in sensitive regions.
V. Can This Advantage Be Sustained? China Needs to Be Cautious; the U.S. Could Make a Comeback
1. The Instability of Soft Power: A survey by a Singapore-based research institute in Southeast Asia shows that support for China fluctuates: it was high in 2024, then dropped to the U.S. in 2025, and may rise again in 2026—public opinion can change quickly.
2. China’s Structural Weaknesses: Soft power relies on credibility, not just propaganda, and China lacks a solid foundation in this area. For example, there are still disagreements about China abroad, and its popularity only slightly exceeds that of the U.S., not reaching a level of widespread recognition.
3. The Cyclical Nature of America’s Situation: The decline in U.S. soft power is temporary; as long as its institutions and rule of law remain intact, a more traditional government (like Biden’s) could restore public confidence in American democracy. Pew data also shows that U.S. popularity surged after Biden took office in 2021.
Therefore, it is too early to claim a “victory” for China’s soft power; this may be more of a temporary adjustment following the U.S.’s own mistakes.
Conclusion: This survey reversal signals changes in the balance of power between China and the United States, but China should not be complacent—its advantage is not solid, and the U.S. still has the potential to turn the situation around. The key will be which country can continue to demonstrate reliability and appeal.