In global survey, people say China exerts economic influence on their country

Residents of higher-income nations view this impact more negatively than those in middle-income countries, Pew survey finds

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A billboard in Islamabad welcomes Chinese officials to 10th anniversary celebrations of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in 2023. The CPEC is a vast infrastructure development project that is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 3:19am, 10 Jul 2024Updated: 3:29am, 10 Jul 2024

People in middle-income countries view China’s overseas economic influence more positively than those in high-income ones, according to a Pew Research Centre survey conducted in 35 nations.

“Large majorities in nearly all the nations we polled – spanning six continents and ranging in income level – say China has a great deal or a fair amount of influence on their country’s economic conditions,” the Washington-based think tank said in a report release on Monday.

In 10 of 13 countries, more people said China had a great deal of impact on their country’s economy than when the same question was asked five years ago, Pew said.

The biggest jump was in Brazil – from 26 per cent in 2019 to 51 per cent in 2024 – followed by India, Kenya, Argentina, Mexico, Tunisia and Turkey, with the increases ranging from 12 to 19 per cent.

Chile also saw a marked climb although in a different survey time frame. Sixty per cent of Chileans surveyed this year said China was influential in their economy, up from 29 per cent in 2013.

The findings were gathered after a survey of more than 44,000 adults in 35 countries conducted between January and May. The countries encompass the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East-North Africa region.

Much of the overseas economic influence is the result of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which began more than 10 years ago. Now, China’s “global outward foreign direct investment is close to US$3 trillion”, the Pew report said.