Tsinghua's Da Wei: New Survey Research on Chinese Perceptions of Security

Oct 31, 2024

In this discussion, Da Wei, Director at Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy, delves into a revealing public opinion poll on Chinese perceptions of international security. He highlights a growing national confidence coexisting with pessimism about U.S.-China relations. The conversation touches on Chinese views regarding the Russo-Ukrainian War, the effectiveness of U.S. diplomacy, and the evolving perception of the U.S. as a power-based rather than values-based country. Da Wei also reflects on the generational divide in attitudes toward international security.

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INSIGHT

Global vs. China Security

Chinese citizens feel pessimistic about global security, but optimistic about China's own security.
This contrast suggests worries about external factors, not direct threats to China.

INSIGHT

Rising Chinese Influence

Despite acknowledging U.S. global influence, Chinese respondents rate China's influence as rising.
This reflects growing national confidence, even if not entirely matching Da Wei's personal assessment.

INSIGHT

U.S.-China Relations Pessimism

Chinese respondents show increasing pessimism towards U.S.-China relations.
However, they distinguish between the American government and its people, holding more favorable views of the latter.

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This week, in a show taped in Beijing at the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, I speak with Professor Da Wei about a new public opinion poll on China's perception of international security and review its important findings. We also discuss Chinese views on the Russo-Ukrainian War and the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

2:11 – Da Wei’s new podcast

4:05 – CISS’s “Public Opinion Poll: Chinese Outlook on International Security 2024”

7:46 – The poll’s findings on pessimism about global security and the global influence of the U.S. and China

11:56 – China’s growing national confidence and growing pessimism about the U.S.-China relationship

18:26 – Paradoxical poll findings: proactive foreign policy stance vs. prioritizing domestic affairs, and involvement in global scientific cooperation vs. withdrawing in other areas of international agreement

24:30 – Why older respondents tended to be more pessimistic about China’s international security situation

25:58 – Understanding negative attitude toward the United States and the effectiveness of diplomacy

30:17 – The belief that the U.S. goal is containment of China’s development and the shift in view of America from a values-based country to a power-based country

36:12 – Chinese viewpoints on the Russo-Ukrainian war

39:22 – Da Wei’s travels in the U.S. and the changes he has perceived

45:04 – The U.S. agenda to dissuade China from deepening its involvement with Russia

49:02 – How Chinese views on the upcoming U.S. election have changed since Kamala Harris’ nomination

Recommendations:

Da Wei: Chen Jian’s Zhou Enlai: A Life; for Chinese to travel to the U.S. more

Kaiser: Chen Jian and Odd Arne Westad’s The Great Transformation: China’s Road from Revolution to Reform; for Americans to travel to China (and Beijing)

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