Global attitudes toward china: trend and correlates

Question

The article is about china as an economic power. So how the authors tested this power with hypothesis? What are the hypothesis they focus on?

Answer 1

The authors of the article tested the power of China as an economic force by examining public attitudes toward China in various countries. They formulated two hypotheses to guide their analysis.

The first hypothesis focuses on developing or less-developed countries and states that public attitudes toward China in these countries are primarily economy-oriented. In other words, when China is involved in the local economy of these countries, it is expected to result in a more positive attitude toward China.

The second hypothesis pertains to developed countries and suggests that public attitudes toward China in these countries are ideology-oriented, with a greater emphasis on values and beliefs. In this context, factors such as political ideologies, cultural values, and perceptions of human rights may shape public opinion on China.

To test these hypotheses, the authors analyzed data from opinion surveys conducted between 2005 and 2018. They examined trends, patterns, and determinants of public attitudes toward China in different countries.

The findings of the study indicate that overall, public opinion on China has experienced a downward trend, particularly in developed and democratic countries. Additionally, the study reveals that China's foreign direct investment in a particular country is positively associated with a favorable opinion, suggesting that economic ties influence public attitudes positively. On the other hand, Chinese exports to other countries are negatively associated with a favorable opinion, implying that perceptions of economic competition may have a negative impact on public sentiment.