GT releases China’s first large-scale China–LAC perception survey, friendly ties seen as key to future development

Editor's Note:

In recent years, China-Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) relations have entered a new phase of equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness, and people-centered development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech and announced the launch of five programs to advance shared development and revitalization with LAC countries at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing on May 13.

To enhance mutual understanding, the Global Times Institute (GTI), in collaboration with the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) and the Centre for Chinese and Latin American Studies, conducted a "China-LAC mutual perception survey" in both regions. The first part is "Chinese perspectives on the LAC" and the second part is "LAC perspectives on China." The combined results were presented in late June at the Global Times' "Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue" in the LAC region, in a report titled "Hand in Hand: China-LAC Mutual Perception Survey." This public opinion poll is China's first large-scale survey on mutual perceptions in China and the LAC region. The report revealed positive mutual impressions, with most respondents anticipating even friendlier relations.
Mutual attractions with strong public foundation

The "Chinese perspectives on the LAC" survey, conducted from April 11 to 22 across 16 Chinese cities, collected 2,099 valid responses. The "LAC perspectives on China" survey, conducted from May to June, in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Panama, used online questionnaires and face-to-face interviews in Portuguese and Spanish, gathering 3,373 valid responses from adults aged 18-70. Both surveys clarified that "LAC" refers to Latin America and the Caribbean, encompassing the Western Hemisphere excluding the US and Canada.

The "Chinese perspectives on the LAC" survey found that "football" was the top keyword associated with the LAC, followed by "passion," "samba," "rainforest," "cuisine," "culture," and "coffee." In the "LAC perspectives on China" survey, "technology" was the most prominent impression, followed by "economy," "culture," "food," and "products," along with mentions of "China-US game," "growth," "development," "trade," and "AI" among others.

When asked about their impressions of China over the past year, a Brazilian respondent from Amazonas born in the 1990s cited "economic development and advanced technology," while another mentioned "electric vehicles." An Argentine Gen Z respondent highlighted "DeepSeek," and a young Argentine civil servant noted "festivals and customs." A Mexican born in the 1980s praised "robotics advancements," while another recalled Black Myth: Wukong. A Chilean cited Chinese TV dramas, a Panamanian admired Chinese "diligence and discipline," and a Cuban young man from Havana appreciated learning about Chinese culture through Tai Chi.

In the "Chinese perspectives on the LAC" survey, 55 percent of respondents described people in the LAC region as "passionate," followed by "optimistic" and "creative," with some also noting "diligence," "perseverance," "living in the moment," and "family-oriented" traits. LAC respondents viewed Chinese people as "smart and creative" and "hardworking," also noting "seriousness," "punctuality," "family values," "passion," "diligence," and "modesty."

Despite the geographical distance, 97 percent of Chinese and 96 percent of LAC respondents expressed strong interest in each other's affairs. Chinese respondents were most drawn to LAC's "history and ancient civilizations" (53 percent) and "literature and arts" (44 percent). LAC respondents showed the most interest in online shopping and smartphones, followed by AI, the Great Wall, electric vehicles, Chinese cuisine, products, traditional Chinese medicine, high-speed rail, and social media.

Wang Youming, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that Chinese culture, both traditional and modern, enjoys a relatively good cognitive foundation in LAC countries, driven by recognition of China's economic achievements. To boost people-to-people exchanges, expanding Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops in LAC countries, alongside cultural and tourism cooperation, particularly through film and TV, could prove effective.

Gabriel Merino, coordinator of the CLACSO working group "China and the map of world power," told the Global Times that language and cultural exchanges are key to deepening ties, with academic, technological, and co-production initiatives holding significant potential.

The vast majority of respondents in both China and LAC countries recognize each other's economic development potential. Regarding LAC's development prospects, 40 percent of Chinese respondents believe it has "a good outlook with stable economic growth," and more than half affirm it is "developing steadily, facing challenges but with potential." For China's development prospects, 50 percent of Latin American respondents think it has "a very good development prospect with rapid economic growth," and 34 percent believe it has "a good development prospect with stable economic growth."

Néstor Restivo, founder and journalistic director of DangDai Magazine, told the Global Times that China's continued growth will benefit the LAC region, a key market for its exports. In 2024, China-LAC trade reached a record $518.4 billion, with an increased number of Chinese enterprises operating across the region.

Guo Cunhai, director of the Department of Social and Cultural Studies at the Latin American Studies Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that the widespread availability of Chinese goods and job creation by Chinese firms have deepened LAC's understanding of China, driving mutual recognition.
More amicable bilateral ties expected

Sharing a history of resisting imperialism and colonialism, China and LAC countries advocate multilateralism and global justice, fostering a narrative of shared destiny. The survey found that 97 percent of Chinese and 80 percent of LAC respondents recognize commonalities, particularly in supporting peace, a new global order, and green development. Many Chinese respondents also highlighted shared "ancient and splendid civilizations."

As Global South members, China and LAC countries exemplify modernization and sustainable development. Between eight and nine out of ten respondents in both regions view harmonious, friendly relations as very vital to their country's future.

Since the 1960s, as China established diplomatic ties with some LAC countries, China-LAC exchanges and cooperation have grown increasingly close. Survey data shows that over 90 percent of respondents in both regions view each other as "normal relations countries" or "friendly countries." Over 70 percent of LAC respondents consider China a "friendly country" to the region.

At a China-LAC relations and mutual perception seminar on June 23, former Argentine Defense and Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana emphasized that ties between China and LAC countries, grounded in multilateralism, international law, non-interference, and peaceful conflict resolution, are highly significant.

Patricio Giusto, executive director of the Sino-Argentine Observatory, noted that LAC's positive view of China, driven by deepening trade, financial, scientific, and cultural ties over the past 20 years, is unsurprising. China is seen as a reliable economic partner that respects the region's sovereignty, fostering mutual benefits.

The primary obstacle to friendlier relations, cited by over 40 percent of respondents in both regions, is "US pressure and provocation," with Panama (over 60 percent) and Mexico (over 50 percent) especially noting this.

Over half of respondents in both regions see the US as a "troublemaker" in China-LAC relations, with Panama (73 percent) and both Argentina and Mexico (over 60 percent) expressing agreement.

Lourdes Regueiro, a CLACSO coordinator, told the Global Times that as China's economic influence in the LAC region grows, the US has employed threats and pressure, including cutting aid in security or climate disaster management, to hinder Chinese projects and investments. Despite geographical and cultural differences, six in ten or more respondents in both regions expect friendlier ties, while about 30 percent hope to maintain the status quo.
China viewed as a source of opportunity

As the LAC's second-largest trade partner, China complements the region's economy and aligns with its development strategies. Most respondents view China-LAC cooperation as mutually beneficial.

More than 20 LAC countries have joined the Belt and Road Initiative, with China implementing over 200 infrastructure projects and creating millions of jobs in the region. The survey found that 93 percent of LAC respondents see China's rapid development as an opportunity, viewing China as a key trade partner, export market, technology collaborator, and investment source.

Nearly 80 percent LAC respondents noted tangible benefits from Chinese aid, such as interest-free loans, training, and investments in infrastructure, agriculture, digital networks, transportation, and public health.

For future cooperation, 60 percent of LAC respondents prioritized trade and investment, with over 40 percent expecting high-tech sectors such as AI, infrastructure, and green development. In Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, more than 60 percent of respondents emphasized trade and investment, while no less than 60 percent of respondents in Panama favored educational and cultural exchanges. Chinese respondents prioritized green development, followed by trade, investment, and infrastructure.

Wang noted two key drivers of China-LAC cooperation: LAC's recognition of China's modernization achievements and the absence of political strings in their mutually beneficial partnerships with China, unlike their cooperation with the US.

Taiana highlighted that amid global instability, trust and cooperation with China are critical for LAC countries, particularly in trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, academia, media, and culture.

Roberto Medronho, president of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, emphasized that his university fosters Global South networks, particularly with China, through research agreements and plans for a China-Brazil Innovation Center with Beihang University, alongside cooperation with Tsinghua, Fudan, and Tongji universities.
Recognition in rising global governance influence

The BRICS mechanism is seen as a cornerstone for Global South cooperation and growth. Most LAC respondents across the six surveyed countries see BRICS as a voice for the Global South, with nearly 80 percent in Brazil and over 70 percent in Chile, Mexico, and Panama in agreement.

Celso Amorim, special adviser to the president of Brazil, noted that Brazil and China have closely collaborated since the inception of BRICS, with the platform now championing Global South interests, local currency trade, and AI governance. He expressed hope for LAC's strategic autonomy and a multipolar world that prioritizes cooperation and peace.

The survey found that 80 percent of LAC respondents recognize China's rising global influence, with nearly 90 percent in Brazil and Panama and 80 percent or more in Argentina and Chile agreeing. Most Chinese respondents believe LAC's global governance role will grow.

Wang noted that most LAC countries acknowledge the trend toward a multipolar world and the rise of the Global South, and aspire to collaborate with China to reform the Western-dominated global governance system. When asked whether the region remains the US' "backyard," 40 percent of LAC and 35 percent of Chinese respondents disagreed, while only 13 percent and 19 percent, respectively, fully agreeing.

Regarding recent US' so-called "reciprocal tariffs," one-third of LAC respondents believe they could expand China-LAC trade, 20 percent see the "reciprocal tariffs" as disruptive to global trade, and one-third are uncertain. Nearly half of Chinese respondents view the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" as harmful to global trade and China-LAC trade, while nearly one-quarter seeing potential for trade expansion.

When ranking the importance of seven non-regional countries to LAC development, China topped the list, followed by the US, Russia, and Germany. China ranked first in five of the six LAC countries surveyed, except in Argentina.

Merino noted that US policymakers view LAC's diversification of ties, particularly with China, as a security threat. Despite rising US protectionism, the survey shows that the China-LAC relations are growing closer, laying a foundation for deeper cooperation, and a more just and democratic global order.