US still seen as leading economy
The United States is still viewed as the world's leading economic power, according to polls by the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project. But China has gained rapidly in the eyes of the rest of the world, and many say it will ultimately replace the US as the world's top global economic force.
A 39-nation study by the Pew Research Center found that the US is still enjoying the boost to its reputation that followed the election of President Barack Obama - except in a number of Islamic nations, where Washington remains widely disliked.
The survey, the US-based center's largest since 2007, found growing criticism of China in most of East Asia and Europe.
"However, even in many countries where America is still seen as the top economic power, most believe China will someday become the leading overall superpower," the study said.
In Western Europe, the public in all countries polled except Italy - where the US was especially popular - believed that China has topped or has already surpassed the US "as the world's leading superpower".
But the study put the favorability rating of the US at 63 percent globally, compared with 50 percent for China.
Relative perceptions of the US and China varied widely. The biggest swing in favor of the US was in Japan, where a territorial row with China has flared. A mere 5 percent of Japanese respondents viewed China favorably - far lower than in any other country polled - while 69 percent were positive about the US.
In the other direction, only 11 percent of Pakistanis saw the US favorably while 81 percent held positive views of China, which Islamabad often considers its key supporter.
Most economists believe it is only a matter of years before China, whose population is more than four times that of the United States, surpasses the United States in the raw size of its economy.
But many experts doubt that China will quickly catch up with the US in the global reach of its culture, diplomacy and economy.
AFP-AP
(China Daily 07/19/2013 page11)
