WASHINGTON: Chinese President Xi Jinping is viewed more favourably than United States President Donald Trump by some international measures, according to a new Pew Research Center survey covering more than 40,000 people in 36 countries.
The survey found that global perceptions of China have improved, while views of the United States have weakened in several countries.
Based on data from 20 of the 36 countries surveyed, the median share of people with a favourable opinion of China stood at 46 percent in 2026, compared with 36 percent for the United States.
“China is now seen more positively than the U.S. in most of the 36 countries surveyed,” Pew said in its findings released in Washington.
The survey also found that confidence in Xi on world affairs has increased. The median share of respondents who said they had confidence in Xi to do the right thing internationally was 31 percent, compared with 21 percent for Trump.
Pew said many people still lack confidence in Xi, but positive views of the Chinese leader have become more widespread.
Pakistan recorded the most positive view of China in the 2026 survey, with 66 percent of respondents saying they had a “very favourable” opinion and 24 percent saying they had a “somewhat favourable” view.
Japan, however, remained strongly negative toward China. Only 1 percent of Japanese respondents said they had a very favourable view of China, while 11 percent said their view was somewhat favourable.
Japan also remained relatively supportive of Trump compared with Xi, reflecting continuing concerns over territorial disputes with China.
According to Pew, 88 percent of Japanese respondents said they were concerned about territorial disputes with China.
