Chinese embrace their ‘exceptionalism’ but remain wary of US, new poll shows

The vast majority of Chinese want their country to take an active role in global affairs and see their nation as moderately strong in the world, but they remain divided on whether the US or China is the greater power, according to a survey released on Tuesday.

The results of the survey by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Carter Center contrast with the growing US wariness towards foreign engagement highlighted by US President Donald Trump’s “America first” agenda.

“Nationalism is alive and well in China,” the survey’s authors wrote. “Almost all Chinese say their country is in a strong overall position in the world and will only enhance its position over the next five years.”

The survey depicts a Chinese public largely in lockstep with the muscular foreign policy of Chinese President Xi Jinping – as outlined in his 2017 pronouncement that China “has stood up, grown rich and become strong, and it now embraces the brilliant prospect of rejuvenation”.

This comes as Trump alienates long-standing US allies by imposing exorbitant tariffs, withdrawing from agreements, slashing foreign aid and demanding payment for US troops on foreign soil.

“The current US administration’s decision to pull back from global engagement and international institutions will likely facilitate Beijing’s international profile and influence even if it does not fill all the gaps left by US retreat,” the authors wrote.