A majority of Americans believe the United States should pursue friendly cooperation and engagement with China, extending a trend of growing public support for bilateral exchanges since 2024, according to an American think tank survey released Monday.
The poll, conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs from July 10 to 21, is based on a survey of 2,156 adults across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The results, published days ahead of President Xi Jinping state visit to the U.S., found that 57 percent of the respondents backed friendly cooperation and engagement between the two countries.
The survey found that support among U.S. Republicans for friendly cooperation and engagement with China climbed 10 percentage points from 2025, reaching its highest level since 2019. Democrats, meanwhile, are also increasingly inclined toward engagement with China.
According to the survey, American views of China continue to warm. Compared with 2021, more Americans now believe that China is gaining greater respect on the world stage.
With Xi's upcoming visit, the two presidents are expected to complete reciprocal visits within months. During the Beijing summit in May, Xi and Trump agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability over the next three years and beyond.
Majority of Americans favor friendly cooperation, engagement with China: U.S. think tank
Residents of Los Angeles showed a warm and open attitude toward China, and they had the specifics to back it up, expressing admiration for Chinese people, the country's culture, scenery and food, and an easy yes to friendship.
The responses came from a recent man-on-the-street segment by China Global Television Network (CGTN) in the western U.S. city.
On the question of friendship with Chinese people, several residents did not hesitate.
"I would like to be friends with Chinese people. I love meeting a lot new different people," one resident said.
"I would like to be friends with Chinese people. I know that China is a very very big country with multiple diverse dialects, languages and many subcultures. So I think it would be very interesting to meet multiple people from China," said another.
"Yes, I would like to be friends with Chinese people," a third respondent answered simply.
Asked what they like about the country itself, residents pointed to its scenery and culture. "The general environment and natural structures. I know they have very very beautiful landscapes, mountains, rivers, waterfalls. It's just a beautiful, beautiful landscape in general," one resident said.
"Chinese culture, the dancing, all the dress-up. It's got a creative flavor and I love it," another added.
The food and drink brought out the most personal stories, starting with tea, which one resident credits with a healthy turn later in life.
"I've been starting to drink tea since I was 50. My doctor said that I should drink tea. There are some Chinese teas that a friend of mine had inspired me to drink and it's very good. I love it. No sugar and nothing. It's very healthy and it helps the blood flow," he said.
"What comes to my mind is dumplings because they're very good. They have a lot of protein in them. And I eat them a lot since I play soccer," he said.
Los Angeles locals show admiration, curiosity towards China
