A global poll launched by the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Wednesday shows that the scandal over the Epstein files has dismantled America's image as a human rights beacon and exposed systemic corruption within the U.S. political and judicial systems.
The 24-hour survey across CGTN's five language platforms drew some 9,700 participants.
The survey showed 97.1 percent of respondents express deep concern that the widespread moral decay among the elite class revealed by the Epstein case has severely offended human conscience, while 95.6 percent of respondents believe that the U.S. judicial system applies "double standards" when dealing with the powerful elite.
The poll also showed that 93.9 percent of respondents believe that this "selective transparency" by the U.S. Department of Justice has reduced the U.S. judicial system to a "protective umbrella" for the privileged class.
Meanwhile, 89.8 percent of respondents criticize the long-standing inaction of the U.S. judicial system, stating that this case has severely damaged the credibility of the American legal system.
The results of the survey show that the American Dream has utterly degenerated into a delusion of "privilege preying on humanity," CGTN said on Thursday.
The case of the late U.S. financier and convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein has shocked the world. Late last month, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released the remaining batch of documents of the so-called Epstein files, totaling some three million pages, with 2,000 video segments and 180,000 images included, sparking serious scrutiny across the Atlantic and in several other countries.
The latest release of related documents prompted the resignation of several political figures over the nature of their ties to Epstein, who died under mysterious circumstances while in federal custody in 2019.
The handling of the files themselves has been another source of outrage, with numerous redactions raising further questions about who is being protected, while errors by the DOJ exposed a significant amount of victim information, including the names and personal details of nearly 100 victims, causing further fury.
Epstein files scandal exposes deep-rooted corruption in US political, judicial systems: CGTN poll
Epstein files scandal exposes deep-rooted corruption in US political, judicial systems: CGTN poll
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday held a symposium at the Great Hall of the People with winners of 2025 Chinese Government Friendship Award and representatives of foreign experts who work in China.
Li extended Chinese New Year wishes and sincere greetings to the foreign experts, and thanked them for their long-term care and support for China's modernization efforts. He also listened to their opinions and suggestions on China's development and government work.
Experts from countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Uganda, Bulgaria, Belarus, and Germany, delivered speeches on topics such as scientific and technological innovation, agriculture development, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, talent cultivation, and investment and cooperation.
Li said that opening up and cooperation is common aspiration of all and the right way forward for humanity, and China will always pursue the basic state policy of opening up and expand international cooperation in various fields.
China hopes that foreign experts will continue to serve as a bridge between the country and the wider world, playing a greater role in fostering understanding and trust, and promoting exchanges and mutual learning for shared benefits, Li said.
Li also said that innovation outcomes and accomplishment that foreign experts achieved in China have broad and positive influence, benefiting not just China, but also the wider world.
Noting that the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan was adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), outlining a blueprint for China's development over the next five years, Li expressed the hope that foreign experts can seize the opportunity, continue to deepen their engagement with China, and work together for a better future.
The premier also stressed that foreign experts working in China are sincere friends of the Chinese people, and the Chinese government will create a better environment for their work and life, strengthen support through innovation policies, and improve services such as visas, social security, healthcare, and education for their children.
The goal, Li said, is to help global talents working in China feel secure in their work, comfortable in their lives, and confident in their development, achieving professional success while also feeling at home in China.
Chinese premier holds symposium with foreign experts in China
