(下边有中文翻译，请继续看到底。 谢谢。）
The latest survey by the Pew Research Center offers an important insight into the evolving dynamics of global public opinion. According to the survey, among 36 countries and territories, public favorability toward China now exceeds that toward the United States. In 27 of those countries, respondents expressed a more positive view of China, with the trend particularly evident across the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. The findings suggest that the international perception of China is changing in ways that deserve careful attention.
For many years, discussions of global influence have focused primarily on economic and military capabilities. Increasingly, however, soft power—the ability to attract, inspire confidence, and build partnerships through culture, development, diplomacy, and shared prosperity—has become an equally important measure of international standing. China’s recent trajectory indicates that its expanding global engagement is contributing to a broader improvement in its international image.
One of the most significant drivers of this shift has been China’s policy of reform and opening up. Over the past four decades, China has transformed from a relatively closed economy into one of the world’s leading trading nations and a major source of investment, technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure development. Many countries now view China not merely as an economic partner but also as a contributor to global development through trade, connectivity, industrial cooperation, and investment.
The expansion of people-to-people exchanges has further strengthened China’s international profile. The introduction of visa-free entry for citizens of several countries, expanded visa facilitation measures, improved transportation networks, and efforts to promote tourism have encouraged millions of visitors to experience China firsthand. Travelers increasingly encounter modern cities, efficient infrastructure, advanced technology, cultural heritage, and hospitality that often differ from pre-existing perceptions. Direct experience frequently provides a more nuanced understanding than narratives shaped solely by external commentary.
China’s achievements in science, technology, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, high-speed rail, digital commerce, poverty alleviation, and public infrastructure have also enhanced its reputation. These accomplishments are increasingly recognized by governments, businesses, researchers, and students worldwide. Universities are expanding academic cooperation with Chinese institutions, while multinational companies continue to regard China as an important market and innovation hub. Such developments contribute to a broader perception of China as a country capable of delivering sustained economic and technological progress.
International perceptions are also shaped by foreign policy. China’s emphasis on multilateral cooperation, economic connectivity, and engagement with developing countries has found resonance across much of the Global South. Initiatives promoting infrastructure development, educational exchanges, health cooperation, and trade have strengthened China’s diplomatic relationships and increased its visibility as an influential participant in global affairs. Whether through regional organizations, United Nations peacekeeping, climate commitments, or development partnerships, China has become an increasingly significant stakeholder in international governance.
At the same time, international public opinion is rarely shaped by a single narrative. Media coverage varies across countries and often reflects different political perspectives and editorial priorities. Critical reporting of China’s domestic and foreign policies remains common in parts of the Western media landscape. However, the Pew findings suggest that many people distinguish between media narratives and their own observations, national interests, or direct experiences. Growing travel, business cooperation, educational exchanges, and digital connectivity provide alternative channels through which people form opinions about China.
This does not imply universal agreement with every Chinese policy, nor does it mean that international debates have disappeared. Rather, it reflects the reality that perceptions are becoming more diverse and less dependent on traditional information sources. Countries increasingly evaluate China based on practical cooperation, economic opportunities, technological partnerships, and shared interests.
The continued improvement of China’s global image will ultimately depend not only on economic strength but also on transparency, openness, cultural exchange, and constructive international engagement. Soft power cannot be sustained through rhetoric alone; it is strengthened when policies translate into tangible benefits and positive experiences for ordinary people.
The latest survey serves as a reminder that the international landscape is evolving. As global influence becomes increasingly multidimensional, China’s combination of economic development, diplomatic engagement, technological innovation, and greater openness appears to be reshaping international perceptions. Whether this trend continues will depend on China’s ability to maintain mutually beneficial partnerships and deepen people-to-people understanding. For now, the evidence suggests that China’s growing openness and expanding global engagement are contributing to a steadily strengthening international image and a more prominent role in the evolving geopolitical order.
中国日益增长的全球吸引力：在认知变迁时代中的软实力。
皮尤研究中心（Pew Research Center）最新发布的调查为观察全球公众舆论演变提供了重要视角。 根据该项调查，在涵盖36个国家和地区的受访对象中，公众对中国的好感度如今已超过对美国的好感度。其中，有27个国家和地区的受访者对中国持更积极的评价，这一趋势在亚太地区和中东地区尤为明显。这一调查结果表明，国际社会对中国的认知正在发生值得高度关注的变化。
长期以来，人们在讨论全球影响力时，主要关注经济实力和军事能力。然而，随着国际关系的发展，软实力——即通过文化、发展、外交以及共同繁荣吸引他人、增强信任、建立合作伙伴关系的能力——正日益成为衡量一个国家国际影响力的重要标准。中国近年来的发展轨迹表明，其不断扩大的全球参与正在推动国际社会对中国整体形象的持续改善。
推动这一变化的最重要因素之一，是中国坚持改革开放政策。过去四十多年来，中国从一个相对封闭的经济体发展成为世界主要贸易大国之一，同时也是全球投资、科技、制造业和基础设施建设的重要力量。如今，越来越多的国家不仅将中国视为重要的经济伙伴，也将其视为通过贸易互联互通、产业合作和投资促进全球发展的重要贡献者。
人文交流的不断扩大，进一步提升了中国的国际影响力。中国相继推出针对多个国家公民的免签政策、不断优化签证便利化措施、完善交通基础设施并积极促进旅游发展，吸引了数以百万计的国际游客亲身感受中国。越来越多的外国游客亲眼看到现代化城市、高效完善的基础设施、先进的科技水平、丰富的文化遗产以及热情友好的社会氛围，这些体验往往与他们此前形成的印象有所不同。事实证明，亲身经历往往比单纯依赖外部媒体叙事更能够帮助人们形成更加全面、客观的认识。
中国在科技创新、可再生能源、人工智能、高速铁路、数字经济、脱贫攻坚以及公共基础设施建设等领域取得的成就，也进一步提升了国家形象。这些发展成果正日益获得世界各国政府、企业、科研机构以及青年学生的广泛认可。越来越多的国际高校不断扩大与中国高校的学术合作，跨国企业也持续将中国视为重要市场和创新中心。这些发展进一步强化了国际社会对中国作为一个能够持续推动经济发展和科技创新国家的整体认知。
国际社会对一个国家的评价，同样受到其外交政策的影响。中国坚持多边合作、推动互联互通、加强与发展中国家的合作，这些理念在全球南方国家获得了广泛共鸣。无论是基础设施建设、教育交流、卫生健康合作，还是贸易投资合作，中国推动的一系列合作倡议不断深化与各国的外交关系，也进一步提升了中国作为全球事务重要参与者的国际影响力。无论是在区域合作机制、联合国维和行动、应对气候变化还是国际发展合作等方面，中国都正日益成为全球治理的重要参与者和贡献者。
与此同时，国际公众舆论很少由单一叙事所决定。不同国家的媒体报道往往反映各自不同的政治立场和编辑取向。在部分西方媒体中，对中国内政外交政策的批评性报道仍然较为普遍。然而，皮尤调查结果显示，越来越多的人开始能够区分媒体叙事与自身观察、国家利益以及亲身经历之间的差异。随着国际旅行、经贸合作、教育交流以及数字互联不断深化，人们获取关于中国信息的渠道也更加多元，从而形成更加独立和客观的判断。
这并不意味着国际社会对中国所有政策都持一致认同，也不意味着有关中国的国际讨论已经停止。相反，这反映出国际社会对中国的认知正变得更加多元，也越来越少依赖传统的信息来源。越来越多的国家开始依据务实合作、经济机遇、科技伙伴关系以及共同利益来评价中国，而不仅仅依赖外部叙事。
未来，中国国际形象的持续提升，最终不仅取决于经济实力，更取决于透明开放、文化交流以及建设性的国际合作。软实力不能仅靠宣传和口号来维系，而是在各项政策真正转化为惠及人民的实际成果和积极体验时，才能不断增强并持续积累。
皮尤研究中心此次调查再次提醒我们，国际格局正在持续演变。随着全球影响力日益呈现多维化特征，中国通过经济发展、外交合作、科技创新以及更加开放的发展理念，正在不断塑造国际社会对中国的新认知。这一趋势能否持续，将取决于中国能否继续深化互利共赢合作、加强人文交流，并不断增进国际社会之间的相互理解。就目前而言，越来越多的事实表明，中国不断扩大开放、积极参与全球合作，正在持续提升自身国际形象，并在不断演进的国际政治格局中发挥越来越重要的作用。
(注意： 本文是用AI翻译的，或有误差。请以原版英文为准。谢谢。)
Reference Link:- https://thinktank.pk/2026/08/04/chinas-growing-global-appeal-soft-power-in-an-era-of-changing-perceptions/