A Chinese girl promotes the Peking Opera at the New York Time Square. China’s global image is improving steadily, according to a recent survey report. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

 

China’s global image is improving steadily, and its comprehensive national influence ranks second, according to a recent survey report.

The fourth of its kind, the 2015 China National Image Global Survey was released by the Center for International Communication Studies at the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration.

The global survey is based on a total of 9,500 respondents from 19 member states of the G20, excluding the European Union. The report captures a portrait of China’s overall profile and influence in the spheres of politics, diplomacy, economy, culture, and science and technology. Global issues like goals of global governance and current international order were included for the first time.

Rich, detailed data suggests a greater awareness of China overseas, said Wang Gangyi, deputy director of the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, adding that the survey is a practical reference tool with research value for all those concerned with national publicity abroad.

The report shows that a preponderance of overseas respondents view China as a time-tested and attractive country in the East, and they expect the second-largest economy to play a bigger role in global economic and technological governance.

“Though globally sensitive issues have arisen from time to time recently, overseas respondents have a better impression of China, showing the importance of in-depth dialogue with the world,” said Zhou Qing’an, deputy dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University.

Major surveyed countries are now more willing to cooperate with China in politics, economy, culture, and science and technology. This is a sign of positive feedback about the global image China has been trying to build, Zhou said.

“China has played an active role in international affairs—including the G20 Summit, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the world climate conference, the ‘Belt and Road’ and the building of a stable international monetary system— presenting itself as a responsible and positive power,” said Wang Wen, executive director of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China.

According to the report, overseas respondents generally have a good opinion of Chinese nationals, identifying diligence and dedication as the most prominent national characteristics.
“In this era of globalization, the responsibility for shaping and transmitting the country’s image does not fall on government and media alone. Every Chinese national is an ambassador of the nation,” said Zhang Kun, dean of the Journalism and Information Communication School at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

In addition, overseas respondents reported more admiration for China’s scientific and technological progress than Chinese themselves, according to the survey. The high-speed rail is China’s most recognized achievement in the field of science and technology.

Zhang said that the globalization of high-speed rail indicates that the country is becoming more innovative. It also demonstrates the nation’s charm as a modern technological power. Moreover, deep international economic cooperation, such as interconnection and facilitation of trade and investment, will gradually unite countries around the world into a community of common interests, Zhang added.

 

 

 

Tang Hongli and Duan Danjie are reporters at the Chinese Social Sciences Today.