China’s global image has recovered from its pandemic-era lows, with international perceptions of both the country and President Xi Jinping improving, while confidence in the United States has declined, according to a Pew Research Centre survey released on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

The survey polled over 45,000 people across 37 countries worldwide, including advanced economies and emerging markets such as Argentina, Australia, France, Ghana, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, and the US. It was conducted between February and May 2026 through telephone, face-to-face, and online interviews during a period marked by US involvement in regional crises including the conflict with Iran.

Jonathan Schulman, a research associate at Pew Research Centre, told the South China Morning Post, “Views of China were at or near historic lows in many countries during the Covid-19 pandemic but have since steadily increased. Views of the US have declined in many places, and the share of people saying that the US is a reliable partner to their country has similarly fallen sharply.”

A key finding of the survey is the shift in relative favorability ratings: across 20 countries consistently surveyed over time, China now holds a higher average favorability rating than the US, with 46% of respondents expressing a favorable view of China compared to 36% for the US. This marks a significant change from 2023, when 54% viewed the US more positively than China, while only 19% favored China.

This shift highlights changing global attitudes amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Sources