Less than two years after taking office, President Xi Jinping has scored an impressive 92-percent approval rating from Chinese respondents who said they are confident in his handling of world affairs, according to a Washington-based research group.

International opinions about Xi varied from region to region, though "many are unfamiliar with the Chinese leader", a report from the Pew Research Center said on Monday.

Half or more of those surveyed in China's neighboring countries - including South Korea, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Thailand - as well as in Africa gave Xi a high approval rating. Ratings dropped in countries that currently are embroiled in maritime tensions with China.