The vast majority of Chinese internet users regard Taiwan issue as "the most important issue in Sino-US relations in the 21st century", a recent online survey finds.
The survey "Global Perspectives of Chinese People", launched by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the international news department of People's Daily Online since October 1, aims to gauge Chinese people's views on international affairs as well as on Russia, the US, the EU and Japan. The survey had received positive responses from netizens, and by 3pm on November 17, more than 25,000 netizens had participated in the voting.
The survey results indicate that 80% of respondents saw the Taiwan problem as "the most important issue in Sino-US relations in the 21st century", followed by economic and trade issues (75%). Besides, netizens also believe energy, human rights and the Tibet issue are of great significance. Cross-Strait relations showed new developments in 2008, with 66% of netizens believing the US fails to play any role, or plays a negative role.
When asked "do you feel close to the US?" 16% netizens answered yes; 44% responded no, and 40% feel neutral.
When asked to provide reasons for their lack of connection toward the US, the responses that "the US obstructs the reunification of China" and that "the US is a threat to China’s development" rank first and second respectively with 61% and 39% of the votes. Other reasons include conflicts that have occurred between China and the US, the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Vietnam and the US’s opposition to the Chinese revolution.
40% of netizens are optimistic about Sino-US relations despite ups and downs, 37% believe Sino-US relations will remain unchanged in the future and 18% are pessimistic about it. 46% of netizens expect to see a declining US influence in international affairs in the future, while 42% think its influence will remain unchanged. 68% of netizens think China should take a relatively strong or hard-line stance in dealing with Sino-US relations.
The survey results also reveal that netizens regard US dollar, the White House, aircraft carriers, Wall Street and the Pentagon as the most powerful symbols of the US. Contrarily, Coca-Cola, a fashionable global brand, ranks last in the survey. It is evident that the dollar-and-stick image of the US is deeply rooted in the minds of Chinese people.
By People's Daily Online
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