Poll: Americans view China's economic influence as negative

A survey by the Pew Research Center shows that most people in the world understand China's economic influence on their countries, but they are divided on whether this influence is good or bad. As VOA correspondent Michael Baturin reports, the poll also finds that more people in the United States view China's economic influence negatively than people in other countries surveyed.

From San Francisco to New York and Washington, the influence of Chinese neighborhoods and culture can be seen in many American cities.

"I think it has a lot of influence. Look around, we are in the Chinatown neighborhood," says American Rain Brody.

“I think everyone likes Chinese food, like the Lunar Festival, Chinese New Year. So from a cultural point of view I think it's a very good influence," says Eugene Mosac, a visitor to Washington.

Although many Americans think that Chinese culture is a positive thing, when it comes to China's influence on the United States economy, the Pew Research Center survey found that nearly three-quarters of Americans have a negative perception.

The survey had a number of questions about China for people in 35 different countries, including the United States, says Laura Silver of the Pew Research Center.

"Where Americans really stand out is that they see most of China's influence as negative. In fact, more Americans say China's economic impact is negative than people in any other country we surveyed," she says.

China is one of the major importers of products into the United States, and several China-related digital sales companies, such as Shein and Temu, have expanded their operations here in the United States. Rain Brodie bought products from the Temu company.

"I think they offer products at really affordable prices," she says.

Although tempted by the low prices, Kendall Funasaki has not purchased products from these websites.

“Chinese sites like Temu have a negative effect on the consumer because they encourage people to buy many more items of poor quality, which the consumer then throws away. So, I think these companies drive unnecessary costs for consumers," she says.

In addition to some negative perceptions of companies linked to Chinese e-commerce, the US government has also warned against using the TikTok app, which is controlled by Beijing-based company ByteDance, said Christopher Tang, a business professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"The US government is concerned that TikTok could be used as a tool to spread fake news and biased views about candidates during election years," he says.

"I think Tiktok can be used as a way of personal expression and presentation. Each person has their own opinions. I think it could work either way," says Rain Brodie.

The Pew Research Center also found that there are differences in people's views on China's influence based on the age of the respondents.

"Older people are slightly more likely to say that China has a big influence and that this influence is negative. This is true for example in the United States," says Laura Silver of the Pew Research Center.

"The young generation likes Tiktok, Chinese products and the Shein company. They are less worried about the situation with China, so they see China in a relatively more positive light. But older generations still think about war. They think about global security issues. They are more concerned about China's influence. So I think the survey results were not surprising," says Christopher Tang of the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Pew Research Center survey findings are based on public perception and are not a real indication of the influence China has on the domestic economies of other countries. But it can be a useful tool, says Ms Silver.

"Public perceptions are likely to play a role in how politicians analyze things. So we think providing a voice to the public is an important service," she says.

A service that presidential candidates can use to attract more voters./ VOA