Recently, the Pew Research Center in the US conducted a survey involving 25 countries. The results showed that international views of China have turned more positive. In many of the surveyed nations, people increasingly see China as the world's top economic power.
In an increasingly polarized and fragmented international landscape, China's sense of responsibility and conduct as a major power have helped challenge stereotypes and dispel prejudice, prompting a global reassessment of what it means to be a major power. This, in turn, has fostered broader international consensus and found wide resonance.
First, amid rising global protectionism and tariff bullying, China has continued to expand its opening-up and share the dividends of its development with the rest of the world.
Amid global uncertainty, China has emerged as a key stabilizing force in driving economic development. In recent years, it has contributed about 30 percent of annual global growth, making it the largest engine of the world economy. Despite sharp shifts in global dynamics over the past year, China's economy has demonstrated resilience and adaptability under pressure. In the first half of 2025, China's GDP grew by 5.3 percent year-on-year, underscoring its stable momentum and continued role as a major driver of global growth.
At the same time, China has consistently stood on the right side of history, taking concrete actions to promote an open world economy. While economic globalization faces headwinds, China remains committed to opening-up, welcoming cooperation, and hosting platforms like the China International Import Expo, the China Import and Export Fair, and the China International Supply Chain Expo.
China opposes closing doors, building walls, or decoupling - instead advocating for openness, inclusion, and integration. China has signed 23 free trade agreements with 30 countries and regions and implemented zero-tariff measures on 100 percent of taxable goods from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties. The expanding China opportunity has brought hope and prospects to the world while enhancing China's international image.
Second, as the US increasingly retreats from global responsibilities, contributing to the weakening of global governance, China has worked alongside the Global South to uphold multilateralism. And as the "America First" rhetoric has grown more pervasive, with unilateralism and coercive tactics increasingly defining US foreign policy, China has consistently acted as a responsible global player.
From addressing climate change and tackling public health crises to supporting world economic recovery and mediating regional conflicts, China's commitment to global governance is evident. China has helped build consensus among Global South countries, spearheaded the expansion and upgrading of BRICS cooperation, proposed solutions to regional hotspots, explored new models for emerging market collaboration, and reinvigorated economic globalization through strong regional integration.
China is also injecting new confidence into global governance. In May, the International Organization for Mediation was officially established in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This body offers an important legal public good to the world for improving global governance.
Third, as global development aid faces severe cutbacks, China has stepped up to continue offering public goods and contributing to poverty reduction.
China has made great achievements in its domestic poverty alleviation mission and genuinely assisted other nations in improving their people's livelihoods. Adhering to the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, China supports the progress of other countries through its own high-quality development.
Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, China has delivered tangible benefits to participating nations - improving livelihoods and boosting public well-being. In infrastructure, China has helped build railways, airports, power grids, and telecom systems, creating new development corridors.
For example, projects like the China-Laos Railway have significantly enhanced regional interconnectivity and economic integration. In terms of digital infrastructure development, Chinese companies have leveraged various forms of funding to help African countries build a large number of wireless network stations and high-speed mobile broadband networks.
In recent years, international public opinion toward Chinese investment has improved significantly in some middle-income countries. Among nine such countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center, a median of 58 percent of respondents viewed Chinese investment as beneficial to their economies, with Kenya, Nigeria, and Mexico showing the most positive views - each with more than 60 percent support.
The rise of unilateralism and protectionism has heightened global anxiety about the future of peace and development. Against this backdrop, China's role as a source of stability and constructive power is particularly valuable. In the face of changes unseen in a century, China's active participation in international affairs and concrete contributions to world peace and development form the foundation of its broadly recognized international image.
