Amid a year marked by geopolitical turbulence and cautious optimism, a new nationwide survey offers a revealing snapshot of how Chinese citizens see their country’s place in the world. According to the latest findings released by the Global Times, more than 90 percent of respondents expect China to play a greater role in shaping a fairer international order — a signal of rising confidence and a growing sense of global responsibility among the Chinese public.
The survey, titled “How Chinese View the World”, marks its 20th consecutive year in 2025. First launched in 2006, it has tracked the evolution of public opinion in China across two decades of profound economic growth, diplomatic expansion, and shifting global power dynamics. What began as a cautious and inward-looking assessment of China’s role on the world stage now reflects what researchers describe as a mindset “befitting a major power.”
Conducted between November 19 and December 5, the survey collected 3,578 valid responses from residents aged 18 to 69 across more than 280 cities in all 31 provincial-level regions of mainland China. The results were weighted to reflect the age and gender profile of China’s internet users, based on official data from the China Internet Network Information Center.
One of the most striking findings is the dramatic shift in how Chinese citizens perceive their country’s global status. In 2006, just 20 percent of respondents believed that China was already a global power. Nearly half felt it was “not fully” one, while almost a quarter said it was not a global power at all. By 2025, the share of respondents answering “yes” has climbed to 45 percent — more than double — while those answering “no” have dropped sharply to just 8 percent.
“This change reflects greater confidence and composure among the Chinese public when facing the world,” the survey report noted.
Equally significant is how respondents now define global power. Between 2006 and 2013, no single indicator — whether political influence, economic strength, military capability, or cultural appeal — consistently won majority support. In 2025, all four surpassed the 50 percent mark. Military strength ranked highest at 70 percent, followed by political and diplomatic influence (63 percent), economic strength (62 percent), and cultural influence (50 percent).
More than 70 percent of respondents also expressed pride in being Chinese, described China as one of the safest and most convenient places to live, and endorsed the traditional belief that “everyone has a duty toward his country.”
According to Zhao Long, deputy director of the Institute for International Strategic and Security Studies in Shanghai, this shift is rooted in long-term national development. “The fundamental driver is China’s sustained capacity building and landmark achievements,” Zhao said. He pointed to defense modernization, economic resilience, and symbolic moments such as this year’s military parade as factors that have boosted public confidence.
Looking ahead, optimism remains strong. Between 70 and 80 percent of respondents said they were optimistic about China’s prospects over the next five years across areas including technological innovation, green transformation, social welfare, and national defense. Confidence was highest in national defense (86 percent) and technological innovation (84 percent).
On diplomacy, the survey underscores the continued importance of major-power relations. In 2025, China–United States relations ranked as the most important bilateral relationship for China, followed by ties with Russia and the European Union. While relations with Washington have faced strains in recent years, the return of China–US ties to the top spot suggests public recognition of their global significance.
“Although China–US relations face challenges, China’s ability to manage this relationship has improved,” said Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University. “The data reflects public recognition of China’s growing influence in shaping the trajectory of this relationship.”
China–Russia ties, meanwhile, were ranked the most important neighboring relationship for the 17th consecutive year, highlighting their perceived strategic stability. Relations with Japan showed greater volatility, shaped by historical issues, geopolitical tensions, and recent political controversies, with many respondents expressing pessimism about near-term improvement.
Despite heightened awareness of global risks — including strategic pressure from external powers — the overall outlook remains cautiously positive. Around 80 percent of respondents hold optimistic or neutral expectations for global economic development, while more than 85 percent expressed similar views on global governance and civilizational exchange.
Perhaps the most consequential finding lies in expectations of China’s global role. Ninety-three percent of respondents want China to take more action in mediating international conflicts, and 94 percent hope it will contribute more actively to building a just and equitable international order.
“Public opinion shows a positive interaction between the Chinese people’s self-perception and the international community’s expectations of China,” Li said. “The idea that ‘China embraces the world, and the world welcomes China’ is increasingly becoming a reality.”
As global uncertainty deepens, the survey suggests that Chinese citizens see their country not just as a rising power, but as a stabilizing force — one expected to shoulder greater responsibility in shaping the future of global governance.
