President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping/FILE
A growing majority of foreign respondents are viewing the country and its people favourably and expressing a strong desire for deeper engagement.
The data shows that 64 per cent of international respondents now hold a ‘good’ overall impression of China, a 5-percentage-point increase from 2024.
Positive impressions of the Chinese people saw an even sharper rise, climbing 10 points to 66 per cent, pointing to a broad-based improvement across multiple dimensions.
China's scientific and technological prowess has emerged as the driving force behind the high marks.
As per the report seen by the Star, at least 80 per cent of those surveyed hold a favourable view of China’s science and technology sector.
Over 75 per cent also view the hardworking and innovative spirit of the Chinese people positively.
Statistical analysis of open-ended responses found the keywords most frequently associated with China in 2025.
They include "economy," "technology," "science," "development," "strength," "good," "culture," "advancement," and "innovation."
The survey indicates a strong global appetite for closer ties with Beijing, with a majority indicating that it was best for countries to maintain diplomatic relations with China.
Over two-thirds of international respondents hope their country’s relationship with China will improve in the future, an increase of approximately 5 percentage points from the previous year.
The diplomatic optimism, as per the report, is matched by personal travel interest.
Under China's visa-free transit policy, three-fourths of foreign respondents have expressed willingness to visit China, a figure higher than in 2024.
Interest in China remains overwhelmingly high, with over 90 per cent of foreign respondents expressing some level of curiosity and more than 40 per cent showing a high degree of interest.
The point of focus of the cited interest varies by economic development.
It emerged that respondents from developed countries are most drawn to Chinese ‘culture’, while those from developing countries are primarily interested in Chinese ‘technology’.
“China’s economy and technology have left a deep impression on foreign respondents,” the report reads in part.
Cutting-edge technology had the highest (46 per cent), followed by large-scale infrastructure, information technology, new energy technology, space engineering, agricultural science/technology, and manufacturing.
China’s iconic projects spread across the globe have been cited as key lessons for technology transfer into the implementing countries.
The global reach of Chinese innovation and digital culture is evident in the survey's findings on specific phenomena.
Applications like TikTok and Chinese online shopping platforms report a usage rate of around 60 per cent among foreign respondents.
Furthermore, recognition of Chinese-made advanced products, including robots, drones, and smart driving vehicles, exceeds 80 per cent.
The combined data paints a picture of a global public increasingly viewing China through a lens of modern achievement and cultural appeal.
The findings show a positive sentiment and a tangible desire for stronger future connections.
On people relations, the Chinese people’s hardworking and innovative spirits have left a good impression on more than 70 per cent of the foreign respondents.
It was established that over 60 per cent of the respondents have a favourable impression of the Chinese people’s friendliness and civility.
The survey also selected several key concepts from Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and asked foreign respondents for their views.
“Building a community with a shared future for humanity” and “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” were the most notable thoughts.
They received an approval rating of 80 per cent, while “advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance,” “further deepening reform comprehensively,” and “people-centred development philosophy” each got over 70 per cent.
Over 80 per cent of foreign respondents give positive evaluations of China’s economic growth in 2025, with 90 per cent expressing confidence it’ll continue to grow in the next 10 years.
The survey further shows that interest in China is equally growing, and that the population of people with a low level of understanding of China has dropped significantly.
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