Americans' favorability toward China rising: Pew Research Center survey

Americans' views of China have grown more positive in recent years, according to a latest survey by the Pew Research Center.

"Today, 27 percent of Americans have a positive opinion of China. That has risen 6 percentage points since last year and nearly doubled since 2023," the survey reported.

Younger Americans are leading the shift, it said, noting that 34 percent of American adults under 50 have a favorable opinion of China.

The number of Americans who describe China as an enemy of the U.S. has dropped by 5 percentage points since last year, and 60 percent of respondents see China as a competitor.

Switzerland's foreign ministry announced on Thursday that the United States and Iran will hold talks in Switzerland on Friday with mediators.

The ministry said the talks are scheduled to take place in Burgenstock, Switzerland, and mediators from Pakistan, Qatar, and other relevant countries will participate in these initial negotiations to discuss the implementation of the U.S.-Iran peace deal.

Also on Thursday, Iran's Tasnim news agency quoted informed sources as saying that the Iranian delegation's trip to Switzerland had not been finalized.

If it is confirmed that the Iranian delegation will go to Switzerland, further details will be released, according to the informed sources.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's Al Mayadeen TV also quoted sources as saying that, due to the ongoing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, the Iranian negotiating team has postponed its trip to Switzerland.

Furthermore, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar confirmed to local media on Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had canceled his planned visit to Switzerland.

Dar said that the United States and Iran had already signed a memorandum of understanding remotely, and Shehbaz, as a mediator, had also signed.

Therefore, the signing ceremony originally scheduled for Friday in Switzerland has been canceled, Dar said.