This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
Published on December 5, 2019, a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center has revealed that China's neighbours are feeling threatened by the country's overseas investments and military might.
While many people around the world view China's economic growth positively, the poll found that a significant majority of people in Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines perceive China's investments in their countries negatively.
According to the survey of over 38,000 people across 34 countries, 79% of people in the Asia-Pacific region are alarmed by China's growing military strength, with 9 in 10 people in Japan and South Korea feeling this way.
China's increasing military presence in the South China Sea, where several countries have competing claims, has contributed to these concerns.
At the same time, China has extended its economic influence around the world through overseas investments, loans, and aid to developing countries.
The poll also found that people in emerging markets tend to view China's economic growth more positively than those in developed countries.
However, even in countries where China is viewed positively, such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, the US is still seen as a stronger ally.
Both the US and China were most frequently named as top threats by respondents, with more people in many Latin American, Middle Eastern, and North African countries seeing the US as a top threat than China.
