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Most Americans see the US' relationship with China as the most important for their country, but they also believe China is an enemy, according to a US survey published Tuesday.


The poll, conducted by Thomson Reuters and Ipsos from October 29 to November 2, asked 1,077 adults aged 18 and older across the country to name "the most important bilateral relationship" the US should have. Thirty-four percent chose China, while Britain ranked second with 23 percent, followed by Canada with 18 percent.


On another question to describe China as either an "ally" or "adversary", 56 percent characterized China as a foe while 33 percent saw the country as an ally. Seven percent answered, "I don't know", while only 2 percent of the respondents chose both "ally" and "foe."


The survey was conducted before the upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama to China.


How the two countries' people perceive each other has been a topic large polling institutes are interested in. Last April, Gallup interviewed 1,007 American citizens on the phone, asking them which country is America's greatest enemy. China was second to Iran and Iraq at 14 percent, an increase of 4 percent compared to 2007.


"Political elite on both sides should be objective evaluating each other's strategic intentions," Wu Xinbo, a professor from the American Studies Center in Fudan University, was quoted as saying by the Chinese edition of the Global Times.

According to him, the US has come to realize the impact China has due to its rise and Americans must take it seriously.

He also pointed out that the US is keeping a wary eye on China due to the vast differences in areas such as the political system, ideology and national interests.


However, Ni Feng, another expert of American studies from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences doubted Wu's opinions and said the result of a survey could hardly reflect the complicated relations between two countries. (Global Times)


What's your opinon on the existing Sino-US relationship? It might always dangle in between Ally and Foe.

netawhile

People in the U.S. are smart enough, but many still carry a conditioned response and lean toward an outdated view of China.  This is to be somewhat expected.  There are not so many that follow the news of China from Chinese news sources or have the feeling of the pride it carries.  Most only hear small tidbits of international news revolving primarily around the war in Afghanistan or activity in Iraq, Pakistan or N. Korea.  The fact that 33 percent of those polled saw China as an ally is very good.  There has to be a large portion of the higher percentage that are just misinformed and are not aware of the cooperative efforts that are underway and the premise of China's global vision.  

The numbers will always vary, but I expect a trend toward more votes for ally; especially if the ally status becomes documented in the form of treaties or loosened travel restrictions and trade.