More Americans see China as biggest threat to US
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
WASHINGTON - A growing number of Americans perceive China, rather than Iran or Russia, as the biggest threat to the United States.
About one in four Americans surveyed by the Pew Research Centre recently said that China posed "the greatest danger" to their country, significantly higher than the 16 per cent for Iran, 13 per cent for North Korea, and 3 per cent for Russia.
The trend is also nearing an 11-year high not seen since September 2001, when 32 per cent of Americans, according to Pew, said China was the top threat. That spike was registered in the aftermath of a mid-air collision between an American spy plane and a Chinese military jet off the coast of southern Hainan province in April that year.
The latest increase in anti-Chinese sentiment is far more gradual, and stems more from economic rather than military-related concerns - a reflection of how the recent devastating recession has sapped America's economic confidence.
Background story
The 'growing China danger' over the years
A NEW survey finds Americans hardening their attitude towards China, particularly on economic issues. Here are some key findings and how they compare with past surveys.
- Which country represents the "greatest danger" to the US?
September 2012 survey:
China 26%
Iran 16%
North Korea 13%
Afghanistan 7%
Trend over time for China being named in the "greatest danger" category:
March 1990 8%
September 2001 32%
September 2008 16%
January 2011 20%
September 2012 26%
- What concerns you more about China?
September 2012 survey:
Economic strength 59%
Military strength 28%
January 2011 survey:
Economic strength 60%
Military strength 27%
THE latest survey interviewed 305 foreign affairs experts and 1,004 ordinary Americans. Here's a look at how elite opinion deviates from that of the man in the street on some key issues.
- Regard China as a competitor
General public 66%
Elites 79.6%
- Regard China as an enemy
General public 15%
Elites 1.6%
- Trust China a great deal or fair amount
General public 26%
Elites 29.8%
SOURCE: PEW RESEARCH CENTRE
