Recent surveys reveal shifting perceptions of China among Western publics. A survey conducted by Politico and the UK-based polling firm Public First found that, among four traditional US allies, Canada, Germany, France and the UK, a considerable share of respondents view China as more reliable than the US. Many also believe China will play a defining role in shaping the 21st century.

Parallel findings from the European Council on Foreign Relations, based on surveys across 21 countries, indicate that US allies, particularly in Europe, feel increasingly distant from the US, with fewer people viewing it as a consistently dependable partner.

Foreign students studying in China practice Peking Opera at a troupe in Boxing county, Binzhou, East China's Shandong Province. (Photo: People's Daily)

Collectively, these findings point to a noticeable shift in Western public sentiment. Analysts in Europe attribute much of this change to evolving US policies. Over the past year, transatlantic friction has surfaced across security, economic and political domains.

As divisions with the United States widen and attention turns toward China, this trend suggests a move toward more rational and objective judgment. In many developed Western countries, public perceptions of China are gradually shedding the influence of political narratives such as "decoupling" and "systemic rivalry," reflecting a broader shift away from entrenched biases and toward more balanced assessments.

Foreigners visit Nanjing Road pedestrian street in Shanghai. (Photo: People's Daily)

Beyond these observations, what explains the growing perception of China as "reliable"?

First, it reflects recognition of China's stability. Following China's annual "two sessions"—the meetings of its top legislature and top political advisory body, much of the international community has come to view China as an "oasis of certainty" in a turbulent world.

Amid profound global transformations, China's distinctive strengths include policy continuity and predictability. Whether advancing high-quality economic development or expanding high-standard opening up, once a direction is set, China moves forward consistently.

This long-term commitment provides businesses, investors, and governments with greater confidence and clearer pathways for cooperation.

Second, perceptions are becoming increasingly "de-filtered." The UK-US poll indicates that respondents aged 18 to 24 are more supportive of strengthening ties with China than older generations.

Alicja Bachulska, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, notes that Western youth are increasingly contrasting America's portrayal of China as a democratic threat with challenges within the US democratic system itself, prompting a critical reassessment of established narratives.

As "information cocoons" dissolve, more young people in the West are directly observing China's economic growth, technological development, and social dynamics through social media. Meanwhile, visa-free policies are enabling firsthand experiences of China's safety, convenience, vitality and cultural appeal, leading to more authentic, multidimensional, and objective perceptions.

The progression from "seeing China" online to "experiencing China" in person continues to build momentum, reflected in growing interest among Western youth in engaging with Chinese society.

Third, tangible cooperation is driving this trend. China-EU trade surpassed $1 trillion last year, while more than two million European tourists visited China under visa-free policies. Since the beginning of 2026, leaders from Canada and several European countries have visited China in succession, reaching a range of new cooperation agreements.

From trade and industrial collaboration to green transition and cultural exchange, China's "reliability" is expressed not as an abstract concept, but through concrete gains from pragmatic cooperation in an uncertain world.

This year marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030). Looking ahead, as China continues to pursue innovation-driven development, it will cultivate new competitive advantages, unlock sustainable growth drivers, and broaden avenues for cooperation—providing the world with an expanding "list of opportunities."

Thoughtful perspectives in the West increasingly describe China as "a trustworthy and stable partner," "the optimal choice," and "a predictable partner," rather than a rival. Sustained by strong development momentum, China remains well positioned to serve as a key engine of global economic growth.

China is not an alternative to any country, nor does it need to define itself through comparison. The evolving perceptions of China among some Western publics stem fundamentally from the fact that China, as a responsible major country, has maintained strategic resolve amid global turbulence and has worked to inject positive momentum into global openness and cooperation.

Fostering a sound and objective understanding of China is essential for stable and productive engagement. In an increasingly diverse world, differences among countries are natural. As long as nations uphold mutual respect, mutual appreciation, and mutual learning, they can achieve shared development, realize shared success, and together shape a brighter future.