Pewglobal Survey China Atiitudes

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FOR RELEASE: TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2008, 2:00 PM EDT
The 2008 Pew Global Attitudes Survey in China:

THE CHINESE CELEBRATE THEIR ROARING ECONOMY, AS THEY
STRUGGLE WITH ITS COSTS
Near Universal Optimism About Beijing Olympics
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Kohut, President
Richard Wike, Associate Director
Erin Carriere-Kretschmer, Senior Researcher
Juliana Menasce Horowitz, Research Associate
Kathleen Holzwart, Research Analyst
(202) 419-4350
www.pewglobal.org
July 22, 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview:
Page
The Chinese Celebrate Their Roaring Economy
As They Struggle With Its Costs .....................................................................1
About the Project ..................................................................................................................7

Roadmap to the Report .........................................................................................................8
Chapter 1:
Chinese Views of Their Lives..........................................................................9
Chapter 2:
National Issues ................................................................................................14
Chapter 3:
China and the World .......................................................................................19
Chapter 4:
The Olympics..................................................................................................23
Chapter 5:
Modern Life and Values .................................................................................26
Chapter 6:
Technology Use ..............................................................................................31
Chapter 7:
News Sources..................................................................................................33
Survey Methods ...................................................................................................................37

Survey Topline.....................................................................................................................39
Copyright 2008 Pew Research Center

www.pewresearch.org
The 2008 Pew Global Attitudes Survey in China:

THE CHINESE CELEBRATE THEIR ROARING ECONOMY, AS THEY
STRUGGLE WITH ITS COSTS
Near Universal Optimism About Beijing Olympics
s they eagerly await the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese people express extraordinary
levels of satisfaction with the way things are going in their country and with their
nations economy. With more than eight-in-ten having a positive view of both, China
ranks number one among 24 countries on both measures in the 2008 survey by the Pew Research
Centers Pew Global Attitudes Project. These findings represent a dramatic improvement in
national contentment from earlier in the decade when the Chinese people were not nearly as
positive about the course of their nation and its economy.
The new Pew Global Attitudes survey
also finds that most Chinese citizens polled
rate many aspects of their own lives
favorably, including their family life, their
incomes and their jobs. However, levels of
personal satisfaction are generally lower than
the national measures, and by global
standards Chinese contentment with family,
income and jobs is not especially high.
Further, Chinese satisfaction with these
aspects of life has improved only modestly
over the past six years, despite the dramatic
increase in positive ratings of national
conditions and the economy.
In that regard, Pews 2007 survey
showed that the relatively low Chinese
personal contentment was in line with the still
modest level of per-capita income there
looking across the 47 countries included in
that poll, life satisfaction ratings in China fell
The Chinese Look at Their Lives and Country

Rating their country
2002 2008 Change
Satisfied with
%
%
% pts.
country direction 48
86
+38
Economy is good
52
82
+30
Rating their lives

2002 2008 Change
Satisfaction with... %
%
Family life
Very
13
14
+1
67
-2
Somewhat
69
Total
82
81
-1
Job***
Very
Somewhat
Total
Global
ranking*
#1
#1
Global
ranking**
#29
6
57
63
4
60
64
-2
+3
+1
#34
Household income
Very
3
Somewhat
48
Total
51
4
54
58
+1
+6
+7
#32
*Based on the 24 countries in the 2008 Pew Global poll.

** Based on the 47 countries in the 2007 Pew Global poll.
***Based on respondents who are employed.
Questions 2 through 4. For full question wording and
results, see the topline questionnaire in the back of this
report.
about where one would predict based on the countrys wealth. 1 The current poll takes a deeper
look into how the Chinese people evaluate their lives and specific conditions in their country,
providing further insight into the contrast between the average Chineses satisfaction with the
state of the country and its economy and relative dissatisfaction with elements of personal life.
The new data suggest the Chinese
people may be struggling with the
consequences of economic growth. Notably,
concerns about inflation and environmental
degradation are widespread. And while most
Chinese embrace the free market, there is
considerable concern about rising economic
inequality in China today.
These are the latest findings from the
2008 Pew survey of China. Face-to-face
interviews were conducted with 3,212 adults in
China between March 28 and April 19, 2008, a
period which followed the March 10 onset of
civil unrest on Tibet and preceded the May 12
earthquake in Chinas Sichuan Province. The
sample,
which
is
disproportionately
representative of Chinas urban areas, includes
eight major cities, as well as medium-sized
towns and rural areas in eight Chinese
provinces. The area covered by the sample
represents approximately 42% of the countrys
adult population. 2
How Big of a Problem is ...

Very big
M oderately big
Rising prices
Net
72
Rich/poor gap
41
Corrupt
officials
39
89
78
31
Air pollution
Unemployment
74
22
Water pollution
68
28
Corrupt
businesspeople
66
21
61
17
Crime
96
61
Condition
for workers
13
56
Quality of
manufac. goods
13
55
Old age
insurance
13
53
Health care
12
Safety of
food
12
Safety of
medicine
Education
11
Traffic
51
49
46
42
39
Almost universally, the Chinese

4
27
Electricity
shortages
respondents surveyed complain about rising
prices 96% describe rising prices as a big Questions 8a through 8q.
problem for the country, and 72% say they are a
very big problem. And nearly half (48%) of those polled say health care is difficult for their
family to afford.
For more on the 2007 findings, see A Rising Tide Lifts Mood in the Developing World, Pew Global Attitudes
Project, July 24, 2007.
2
For more details, see the Survey Methods section of this report.
But the Chinese are almost as concerned about equity in China as they are about inflation.
About nine-in-ten (89%) identify the gap between rich and poor as a major problem and 41% cite
it as a very big problem. Worries about inequality are common among rich and poor, old and
young, and men and women, as well as the college-educated and those with less education. In
that regard, despite economic growth, concerns about unemployment and conditions for workers
are extensive, with 68% and 56% reporting these as big problems, respectively.
Complaints about corruption are also widely prevalent, with 78% citing corruption
among officials and 61% citing corruption among business leaders. Six-in-ten also rate crime as
a big problem. Concerns about both corruption and crime are widespread among all segments of
Chinas population.
While corruption is seen as a problem, most Chinese (65%) believe the government is
doing a good job on issues that are most important to them. However, poorer Chinese and
residents of the western and central provinces covered in the survey give the government
somewhat lower grades than do citizens in eastern China.
Environmental issues also emerge as a top problem and a top priority. Roughly three-infour (74%) cite air pollution as a big problem and 66% so named water pollution. In response, as
many as 80% of Chinese think protecting the environment should be made a priority, even if this
results in slower growth and a potential loss of jobs.
Free Markets and Modernity Embraced
Broad public recognition of Chinas growing pains
notwithstanding, the polling found broad acceptance of
Chinas transformation from a socialist to a capitalist society.
Seven-in-ten say people are better off in a free market
economy, even though this means some may be rich while
others are poor. This sentiment is true across demographic
groups, and even those in the low-income category believe in
the benefits of the free market system.
Chinese Embrace F ree Markets

and Modern Life
Agree
Disagree
Like
Don't like
71
70
28
25
The social changes in Chinese society that have

accompanied the transformation and growth of the economy
People better off
Pace of
in free markets
modern life
get a somewhat mixed review. On the one hand, about sevenin-ten (71%) say they like the pace of modern life. But on the Questions 11ba and 12.
other, many worry about vanishing traditions 59% believe
their traditional way of life is getting lost, while just 37% say these traditions remain strong.
1
The belief that traditional ways are being lost is less prevalent among rural residents,
older people, and lower socioeconomic groups. Instead, those who tend to be on the cutting edge
of Chinas rapidly modernizing society the college educated (68%), 18-29 year-olds (67%),
high income earners (67%), and city dwellers (65%) are the most likely to see traditional ways
disappearing.
On many of the most important issues facing
China, discontent is associated with how people feel
about free markets. Those among the 28%-minority
who oppose the free market system are more likely
than others to voice concerns about economic
problems such as unemployment and conditions for
workers. They are also more worried than others
about education and health care. Moreover, free
market opponents have more lukewarm views about
the Chinese government only 53% believe the
government is doing a good job on the issues that
matter most to them personally, compared with 71%
of those who support the free market.
Young, Educated, High Income,

City Dwellers Feel Loss of Tradition
% saying traditional way of life getting lost
67
18-29
59
30-39
40-49
55
50+
55
68
College +
64
High school
Less than HS
52
High income
67
60
Middle income
Low income
City
54
65
Olympic Optimism
Town
59
Rural
51
The Chinese are as upbeat about the
Olympics as they are about their national economy. Question 13.
Fully 96% believe Chinas hosting of the games will
be a success, and 56% say it will be very successful.
The 2008 Summer Olympics...
While this survey was in the field, the Olympic torch
relay was being hounded by demonstrations in Britain,
96
93
France, the United States, Argentina and elsewhere, and
79
these protests received considerable coverage in the
Western media. However in China, press coverage of
the relay might have been more positive, because
despite the negative international publicity generated by
these events, nearly all of those surveyed think the
Will be
Will help
Are
games will improve Chinas global profile a
successful
China's
important
remarkably high 93% say the Olympics will help the
image
to me
countrys image around the world.
personally
Q40, Q41, 40,
Questions
Q4242 and 43b.
Most Chinese not only see the Olympics as important for their country, they also feel a
personal connection to the games. Roughly eight-in-ten (79%) say the Olympics are important to
them personally, and 90% feel this way in the host city, Beijing.
The Chinese public is also confident that their countrys athletes will shine 75% say the
Chinese team will win the most medals, while only 15% believe the U.S., which brought home
the most medals from the 2004 Summer Olympics, will win the medal count. Despite all the
excitement, however, there are some signs of Olympic fatigue 34% say too much attention is
being paid to the games, up from 25% in 2006. This view is especially common in Beijing,
where nearly half (46%) believe the Olympics are receiving more attention than they should.
Uneasy Foreign Relations
The Chinese public expresses a great deal of
confidence about their nations place on the world
stage. In particular, most Chinese also recognize the
growing impact their economy has on others around
the world, and they believe it is a positive impact.
Only 3% of Chinese think their economy is hurting
other countries. This is very different from how
Americans currently view the effects of their nations
economy 61% say the U.S. is having a negative
impact on other countries.
China's Global Economic Influence is..
DK
11%
No influenc e/
Positive
mixed*
55%
31%
Negative
3%
Overwhelmingly, the Chinese think their

country is popular abroad roughly three-in-four *Includes those who say the Chinese economy
has not much or no influence and t hose who say
(77%) believe people in other countries generally
the influence is neither positive nor negative.
have favorable opinions of China. However, the (Question 32c and Q32d)
polling highlights significant tensions between China
and other rival powers. Views toward Japan are especially negative 69% have an unfavorable
opinion of Japan, and a significant number of Chinese (38%) consider Japan an enemy. Opinions
of the United States also tend to be negative, and 34% describe the U.S. as an enemy, while just
13% say it is a partner of China. Views about India are mixed at best 25% say India is a
partner, while a similar number (24%) describe it as an enemy.
Additional Findings
Chinas one-child policy is overwhelmingly accepted. Roughly three-in-four (76%)

approve of the policy, which restricts most couples to a single child.
Few Chinese have heard much about product recalls in their country only 1% have
heard a lot, while 15% have heard a little about this issue.
There is no consensus about what countries one can emigrate to in order to lead a good
life, although Australia (22%), Canada (17%) and the United States (15%) are the top
choices.
Most Chinese (77%) agree that children need to learn English to succeed in the world
today, but this is down substantially from 2002, when 92% agreed with this view.
More than one-in-three Chinese report using the internet (38%) and owning a computer
(36%), and one-in-four send email at least occasionally. The use of information
technology is more common among the young, educated, wealthy and urban.
Television continues to be the primary source for national and international news for
most Chinese (96% say it is one of their top two sources). Newspapers are a distant
second (56%), and as in much of the world, readership is on the decline.
A small but growing number of Chinese are going online for news (13% name it as one
of their top two sources), especially people with a college education and those under age
30.
About the Pew Global Attitudes Project

The Pew Global Attitudes Project conducts worldwide public opinion surveys on a broad array of
subjects, including peoples assessments of their own lives and their political, social and economic
attitudes. It is a project of the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank in Washington, DC, that
provides information on the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping America and the world. The Pew Global
Attitudes Project is directed by Andrew Kohut, president of Pew Research Center. The project is
principally funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Since its inception in 2001, the Pew Global
Attitudes Project has released 22 major reports, as
well as numerous commentaries and other releases,
on topics including attitudes toward the U.S. and
American foreign policy, globalization, terrorism,
and democratization.
Pew Global Attitudes Project

Public Opinion Surveys
Sample
Interviews
44 Nations
38,263
November 2002
6 Nations
6,056
March 2003
9 Nations
5,520
21 Publics*
15,948
9 Nations
7,765
May 2005
17 Nations
17,766
Spring 2006
15 Nations
16,710
Survey
Summer 2002
Findings from the project are also analyzed in

America Against the World: How We Are Different
and Why We Are Disliked by Andrew Kohut and
Bruce Stokes, international economics columnist at
the National Journal. A paperback edition of the
book was released in May 2007.
May 2003
March 2004
Pew Global Attitudes Project team members

Spring 2007
47 Publics*
45,239
include Bruce Stokes; Mary McIntosh, president of
Princeton
Survey
Research
Associates
Spring 2008
24 Nations
24,717
International; and Wendy Sherman, principal at
The Albright Group LLC. Contributors to the
* Includes the Palestinian territories.
report and to the Pew Global Attitudes Project
include Richard Wike, Erin Carriere-Kretschmer, Kathleen Holzwart, Juliana Menasce Horowitz, Jodie T.
Allen, Elizabeth Mueller Gross, Carroll Doherty, Michael Dimock, and others of the Pew Research
Center. The International Herald Tribune is the projects international newspaper partner. For this
survey, the Pew Global Attitudes Project team consulted with survey and policy experts, regional and
academic experts, journalists, and policymakers. Their expertise provided tremendous guidance in
shaping the survey.
The Pew Global Attitudes Projects co-chairs are on leave through 2008. The project is co-chaired by
former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, currently principal, the Albright Group LLC, and
by former Senator John C. Danforth, currently partner, Bryan Cave LLP.
Following each release, the project also produces a series of in-depth analyses on specific topics covered
in the survey, which will be found at www.pewglobal.org. The data are also made available on our
website within two years of publication.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Wike
Associate Director
Pew Global Attitudes Project
202.419.4400 / rwike@pewresearch.org
Roadmap to the Report

The first chapter examines how the Chinese people rate various aspects of their own
lives. The next chapter looks at current national conditions and key problems in China, as well
as assessments of how well the government is dealing with major issues. The third chapter
explores views on international affairs, including Chinas role in the world and Chinese attitudes
toward rival powers. Chapter 4 deals with opinions about the upcoming Summer Olympic
Games in Beijing. Chapter 5 explores questions concerning values and modern life, including
views toward the free market, environmental protection, the pace of modern life, and the loss of
traditions. Chapter 6 examines the use of information technology in China. Finally, Chapter 7
looks at where the Chinese people turn for national and international news. A summary of the
China surveys methodology, followed by complete topline results, can be found at the end of the
report.
1. Chinese Views of Their Lives
hile large majorities in China are content with their countrys direction and
economy, satisfaction with certain personal issues job and household income is
more modest. Indeed, while most are satisfied with their family life, job and
household income, by global standards, levels of personal satisfaction in China are not especially
high. In addition, where satisfaction with national conditions has grown substantially in the last
several years, personal levels of satisfaction have not.
Despite pervasive concerns about rising prices, real inflationary pressures have not yet
affected the ability of most people to afford the daily necessities of food and energy. However,
roughly half report struggling to afford health care, and many have difficulty saving for
retirement and paying for education.
Satisfaction with Family Life, Job, Income
Roughly eight-in-ten Chinese (81%) are
satisfied with their family lives and 14% are
very satisfied.
Satisfaction with ones job (64%) and
household income (58%) is more limited and
far more so than satisfaction with the countrys
direction (86%) and national economy (82%).
Few are very satisfied with either their job (4%)
or household income (4%).
Are You Satisfied with Your...

Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Net
Family life
81
14
Job* 4
Household income 4
64
58
Questions 3a through 3c.
When compared with the personal *Based on respondents who are employed.
satisfaction levels of other publics, Chinese
satisfaction with family life, job and income appear moderate-to-low. On the 2007 Pew survey,
out of 47 countries China ranked 29th in terms of satisfaction with family life, 33rd on household
income, and 35th on happiness with ones job.
Trends in these areas of personal satisfaction

vary. General happiness with ones family life has
remained basically steady over the last several years.
After dropping from just over six-in-ten (63%) in
2002 to 52% in 2007, job satisfaction recovered in
2008; nearly two-thirds (64%) of Chinese currently
report being satisfied with their jobs.
Are You Satisfied with Your

% very or somewhat satisfied
Household
income
Family life Job*
%
%
%
Spring, 2008
81
64
58
Spring, 2007
79
52
46
Summer, 2002 82
63
51
*Based on those who are employed.
Satisfaction with household income has

followed a similar path, declining from 2002 (51%) to 2007 (46%) and then recovering to a
healthy majority in 2008 (58%).
By contrast, Chinese satisfaction with their countrys direction and national economy has
increased dramatically since 2002. While about half were satisfied with Chinas direction (48%)
and economy (52%) in 2002, more than eight-in-ten were in 2008 (86% country direction, 82%
national economy).
Income and Education Matter in China
In China, as in many places, education and income are linked to how people view their
lives. Typically, the more educated the individual, the more likely he or she is to be happy. For
example, nine-in-ten (91%) among the college educated are satisfied with their family life, while
84% of those with a high school education and 77% of those with less than a high school
education feel the same way.
Largely the same pattern holds for job and income satisfaction. Three-quarters of the
well-educated are happy with their jobs (76% with college degree), while roughly six-in-ten of
those with a high school (64%) or less than high school (60%) education hold the same view.
Two-thirds (66%) of those with a college education are satisfied with their household income,
compared with 56% of those with a high school education and 57% of those with less education.
10
A similar positive relationship is seen

between income level and satisfaction with
family life, jobs and household income. The more
income people earn, the more likely they are to be
happy with these aspects of their life. For
instance, 93% of those in the highest income
bracket are happy with their family life compared
with 86% of those in the middle-income group
and 71% among those in the lowest group. 3
The pattern holds true for job satisfaction.
Eight-in-ten among those with high incomes are
pleased with their jobs compared with two-thirds
(68%) of those in the middle-income group and
only half (52%) among those in the lowest
income category. And unsurprisingly, the same
holds true for satisfaction with income itself
those in the highest bracket (75%) are more likely
to be satisfied with their household income than
those in the middle (63%) or lowest (46%)
groups.
Wealth, Education Related to Satisfaction
Total
% very or somewhat satisfied

Household
income
Family life Job*
%
%
%
81
65
58
Men
Women
80
82
63
66
56
61
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
86
82
79
80
67
62
63
67
65
54
55
61
College or above
High school
Less than HS
91
84
77
76
64
60
66
56
57
High income
Middle income
Low income
93
86
71
80
68
52
75
63
46
City
Town
Rural
84
77
81
69
60
62
58
54
63
East
Central
West
87
85
70
71
62
58
68
59
45
*Based on those who are employed.

Gender plays a modest role on these issues. Women (61%) are slightly more satisfied
with their household income than men (56%), but are about equally likely to be satisfied with
their family life and job.
Similarly, the relationship between age and life satisfaction is limited. The young tend to
be happier with their family life, though not by much 86% of young people 18-29 are pleased
with their family life, while only slightly fewer feel the same way among those ages 30-49
(82%), 40-49 (79%) or 50 or older (80%). When it comes to household income, the youngest
(65%) and the oldest (61%) are the most likely to be happy.
For income, respondents are grouped into the three categories of low, middle and high. Low-income respondents
are those with a reported annual household income of 15,000 yuan or less, middle-income respondents fall between
the range of 15,001 and 50,000 yuan annually, and those in the high-income category earn 50,001 yuan or more
annually.
11
Affordability of Health Care, Savings a Problem

While most Chinese are satisfied with their
family lives, jobs, and income, many nonetheless
report struggling to afford some basic necessities.
About half of those surveyed (48%) say they find it
hard to afford health care and about a third (34%)
say it is difficult to save for retirement. Roughly
three-in-ten (28%) find paying for education
difficult.
Relatively few, however, consider paying for
utilities, such as water, electricity, gas and heating
difficult (17%). And just 15% report difficulty
affording food. Only 12% find paying taxes hard,
although a solid majority (61%) say paying taxes is
not applicable to them. Roughly one-quarter also
report that saving for retirement (25%) and paying
for education (24%) do not apply to them.
How Easy or Difficult is it for

You to Afford.
Easy
Difficult
Health
care
48 48
Savings for
retirement
38 34
Education
48 28
Utilities
80 17
Food
85 15
Taxes
24 12
Questions 7a through 7f.
Not surprisingly, income plays a role in whether people consider these various goods and
services affordable the less money people earn, the more likely they are to feel they cannot
afford various necessities.
A majority (54%) of low-income respondents find health care difficult to afford and they
are also significantly more likely than wealthier Chinese to report struggling to buy food (23%)
and pay their energy bills (20%).
The same is largely true of those with more limited formal educations. Roughly half of
those with a high school education (48%) or less (51%) report difficulty bearing the costs of
health care while fewer do so (38%) among the college educated. Also, those with high school
educations or less are somewhat more likely than the college educated to say they have troubles
paying their food and utility bills.
People who live in major cities are especially likely to say paying for health care (56%)
and saving for retirement (43%) are hard, but they are less likely than those in towns (17%) and
rural areas (18%) to consider paying for food difficult (10% among city residents). Residents of
Western China are more likely than those from Eastern or Central China to have a difficult time
affording health care, education, utilities and food.
12
Young people ages 1829 are slightly less likely to

report difficulty paying for
health care (41%) and saving
for
retirement
(30%).
Educational costs are of more
concern to 40-49 year-olds
(37%) than to others.
Not
surprisingly,
parents with children under age
18 are also especially likely to
cite problems paying for
education 32% say they find
educational expenses difficult
to afford compared with 23%
of those with no children under
18.
Some Struggle to Afford Necessities

% very or somewhat difficult to afford
Health Savings for
care retirement Education Utilities Food Taxes
%
%
%
%
%
%
48
34
28
17
15
12
Total
Men
Women
48
48
34
34
28
27
17
17
15
14
12
12
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
41
48
51
50
30
38
34
34
20
30
37
22
14
17
18
17
10
15
17
15
12
15
12
9
College or above
High school
Less than HS
38
48
51
28
38
34
20
29
29
13
17
18
6
11
19
13
13
11
High income
Middle income
Low income
39
47
54
32
36
35
22
28
30
13
14
20
6
9
23
16
13
9
City
Town
Rural
56
41
44
43
33
25
29
28
25
18
18
15
10
17
18
14
16
6
East
Central
West
46
40
60
37
28
37
24
24
36
14
14
24
10
12
23
12
11
13
Questions 7a through 7f.
13
2. NATIONAL ISSUES
he vast majority of Chinese say that their country is on the right path more than eightin-ten say things in China are going well and that the economy is strong. Nonetheless,
the country is not immune from economic fears even in China, with its growing
economy and high levels of national confidence, economic issues are foremost on peoples
minds. Almost everyone worries about rising prices and a growing gap between rich and poor,
and many are concerned about unemployment as well. Corruption and environmental problems
also are high on the list of national problems. In general, the government receives positive
reviews for the way it handles these issues, although poorer Chinese are a little less likely than
those with higher incomes to say the government is doing a good job.
Satisfaction With Chinas Direction
Overall, the Chinese
High Satisfaction with Country Direction and Economy
public is content with the
direction of the country. In fact,
% economic situation is good
% satisfied with country direction
among the 24 nations included
82
China
86
China
on the 2008 Pew survey, the
69
Australia
61
Australia
Chinese express the greatest
62
India
54
Russia
53
level of satisfaction with the
Germany
50
Spain
52
Poland
49
Jordan
way things are going in the
52
Russia
42
Poland
country 86% are satisfied, 25
48
Tanzania
41
India
percentage points higher than
44
Egypt
40
Egypt
the next highest country,
41
Brazil
36
S. Africa
Australia.
41
Nigeria
34
Germany
Pakistan
41
Brazil
31
Jordan
39
34
Tanzania
The Chinese also are the

most satisfied with their
countrys current economic
situation 82% say the
economy is good. Again,
Australia comes in a distant
second at 69%.
Britain
30
S. Africa
Indonesia
30
Mexico
Mexico
30
Spain
29
France
25
Pakistan
39
36
35
30
Britain
23
Argentina
Nigeria
24
Turkey
21
Japan
23
Indonesia
20
U.S.
23
U.S.
20
Turkey
21
France
19
Japan
13
Argentina
14
S. Korea
13
Lebanon 10
Lebanon
S. Korea
Questions 2 and 4.
14
Both of these measures register

Increasing Satisfaction with Economy, Country
substantial improvement since 2002,
2002 2005 2006 2007 2008
when 48% of Chinese were satisfied
Satisfaction with
%
%
%
%
%
with the countrys direction and 52%
Way things going in country 48
72
81
83
86
were satisfied with the economy.
Current economic situation 52
--82
82
Assessments of the Chinese economy
Questions 2 and 4.
have remained steady since last year, a
period in which economic views in much of the
world have turned increasingly grim. (For full
How Big of a Problem is...
results on these questions from Pews 24Very big
M oderately big
country 2008 poll, see Global Economic
Net
72
96
Gloom China and India Notable Exceptions, Rising prices
released June 12, 2008.)
41
89
Rich/poor gap
Still, Many Worry About the Economy
Despite the overall contentment with the
nations direction, the Chinese public sees a
variety of problems threatening the country.
And despite Chinas remarkable economic
growth over the last several years, economic
problems top the list of concerns.
Worries about inflation are especially
common. With near unanimity, Chinese
consider rising prices as a big problem for the
country (72% say it is a very big problem).
The second most important issue also
involves economics: almost nine-in-ten (89%)
consider the gap between rich and poor a big
problem, and 41% describe it as a very big
problem.
Meanwhile, unemployment ranks fifth
out of the 17 issues tested on the survey 68%
say it is a big problem.
Corrupt
officials
39
78
31
Air pollution
Unemployment
74
22
Water pollution
68
28
Corrupt
businesspeople
66
21
Crime
61
17
61
Condition
for workers
13
56
Quality of
manufac. goods
13
55
Old age
insurance
13
53
Health care
12
Safety of
food
12
Safety of
medicine
Education
11
Traffic
Electricity
shortages
51
49
46
42
39
27
Questions 8a through 8q.
Economic worries are common among Chinese at all income levels. For instance, even
among those with high incomes, 65% say rising prices are a very big problem for the country.
15
Still, concerns about inflation, the gap between rich

and poor, and unemployment are slightly less intense
among the wealthiest in Chinese society.
Concerns about both the gap between rich
and poor and inflation are especially prevalent in
medium-sized towns (76% worry about inflation;
53% worry about the rich/poor gap). Those who live
in towns (25%), as well as those in cities (25%), are
more worried about unemployment than those in
rural areas (15%).
Rising prices are a particularly important
concern in the western portions of China included in
the survey (78% call inflation a very big problem)
and concern about unemployment is higher in both
the central and western areas (25% and 27%
respectively) than in the eastern region where only
16% see joblessness as a major concern.
Economic Concerns Common

Across Demographic Categories
Total
% very big problem

Rising Rich/poor
gap Unemploy.
prices
%
%
%
72
41
22
Men
Women
72
72
43
40
22
22
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
68
76
69
73
40
47
40
39
22
26
20
20
College or above 72
High school
71
Less than HS
73
43
42
41
22
22
22
High income
Middle income
Low income
65
73
75
36
45
41
18
23
23
City
Town
Rural
70
76
71
37
53
37
25
25
15
East
Central
West
69
69
78
43
44
37
16
25
27
Questions 8a, 8e and 8h.

People age 30 to 39 are more likely than
those in other age groups to worry about economic
issues 76% call rising prices a very big problem, 47% say this about the gap between rich and
poor, and 26% are very concerned about unemployment. Only very minor differences are
recorded between men and women, or among educational groups, on these economic problems.
Concerns About Corruption, the Environment

Corruption in both political and business circles ranks high on the list of concerns.
Nearly eight-in-ten Chinese (78%) believe corrupt officials are a big problem in their country,
and 39% say they are a very big problem. About six-in-ten (61%) name corrupt businesspeople
as a major problem and 21% consider them a very big problem. Worries about corruption are
common across all segments of Chinese society.
Environmental problems also are a major concern of the Chinese public. About three-infour Chinese say air pollution is a big problem, and 31% say it is a very big problem. Water
pollution is identified as a big problem by 66% and a very big problem by 28%.
Highly educated respondents and residents in the central part of China are especially
worried about air and water pollution. Among those with a college education or more, 79% call
16
air pollution a big problem, while 74% say this about water pollution. In the central region, 84%
rate air pollution and 73% rate water pollution a major problem.
Other Problems
About six-in-ten Chinese think crime is a big problem in the country and 17% rate it a
very big problem. Concern about crime is down considerably, however, from 2002, when 89%
said it was a big problem and 40% rated it very big.
Majorities also see working conditions, the quality of manufactured goods, old age
insurance, and health care as big problems. More than 40% are concerned about the safety of
food, the safety of medicine, and education.
Slightly fewer than four-in-ten (39%) name traffic as a major problem. Traffic woes are
more commonly cited among city dwellers (44%) and those with a college education (48%).
These same two groups also are more concerned than others about electricity shortages (30% of
city residents and those with a college education say they are a big problem), although overall,
electricity shortages are seen as a problem by relatively few Chinese just 27% say they are a
big problem, and only 4% say they are a very big problem.
Positive Reviews for Governments Handling of Issues
Most of those surveyed say the government is doing
a good job on the issues that are most important to them
personally 65% say the government is doing either a very
(2%) or somewhat (63%) good job, while only 28% believe
it is doing a somewhat (24%) or very (4%) bad job.
Satisfaction with the governments performance is
somewhat lower, however, among lower-income Chinese
while 59% give the government a good rating on the issues
they care most about, about one-in-three (34%) says it is
doing a bad job. About seven-in-ten among high-income
(72%) and middle-income (71%) respondents give the
government a positive review.
Ratings also vary by region, with those in eastern
China (75%) giving the government more favorable marks
than those in the central (60%) or western (58%) regions
covered by the survey. Residents of medium-sized towns
(62%) are slightly less likely to approve of the governments
17
Rating the Governments Job

Addressing Critical Issues
Good
%
65
Bad
%
28
DK
%
6
Men
Women
65
67
30
26
6
7
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
66
64
66
68
28
31
27
26
7
5
7
6
College or above 69
High school
65
Less than HS
65
26
29
28
5
6
7
High income
Middle income
Low income
72
71
59
23
23
34
5
6
7
City
Town
Rural
68
62
67
28
31
26
4
7
8
East
Central
West
75
60
59
19
33
35
6
7
6
Total
Question text: How would you rate the

job the government is doing on the
issues that are most important to you
personally? (Q9)
performance than those in cities (68%) or rural areas

(67%). Views of the government are relatively uniform
across gender, age and educational categories.
Most Support One-Child Policy

DisApprove approve DK
%
%
%
76
21
4
Total
Strong Support for One-Child Policy

Since 1979, China has had a one-child policy,
which generally restricts couples to a single child,
although there are exceptions. For instance, ethnic
minorities are allowed more than one child, as are
residents of rural areas. Some cities allow families in
which both parents are only children to have additional
children. And some couples simply ignore the law and
pay a fine for having two or more children.
This poll shows that the one-child policy is largely
popular with the Chinese public three-in-four (76%)
approve of the policy, while only 21% disapprove.
Approval is particularly high among those with higher
incomes (85%) and those who live in cities (84%).
Individuals who have two or more children under the age
of 18 living at home are less likely to support the policy,
although even in this group, 63% approve of it.
Little Awareness of Recalls
Within China there have been several highprofile recalls of Chinese-made products over the last
year. However, relatively few among the Chinese
public are aware of these domestic recalls. Only 1%
have heard a lot about this issue, while another 15%
say they have heard a little. About four-in-ten (41%)
say they have not heard much and 27% report hearing
nothing at all.
Men
Women
76
75
20
21
4
4
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
77
72
79
75
17
24
19
22
6
4
2
3
College or above 79
High school
79
Less than HS
73
17
17
24
4
4
3
High income
Middle income
Low income
85
77
71
13
20
25
2
3
4
City
Town
Rural
84
73
68
13
22
28
3
4
4
East
Central
West
77
78
71
20
18
24
3
4
5
No children
1 child
2 or more
78
78
63
18
18
34
4
4
3
Question text: Do you approve or

disapprove of the one-child policy? (Q68)
Few Are Familiar With Product Recalls

A lot
1%
A little
DK
15%
15%
Nothing at all
27%
Not muc h
41%
In contrast, in many other nations, large

majorities are familiar with recent recalls of Chinese
products in their countries. Indeed, 96% of Japanese,
88% of South Koreans, 81% of Americans, and 72%
of Germans have heard about this issue.
18
Question text: "How much, if anything, have you

read or heard about the recalls of food and goods
manufactured and sold here in China over the
past year" (Q51)
3. CHINA AND THE WORLD
he Chinese generally have a positive view of their countrys role in world affairs. They
see their country as well-liked abroad and believe China considers the interests of others
in making decisions about foreign policy. They also see their country on the rise most
think China will ultimately supplant the United States as the worlds leading superpower.
Chinese views toward some of their countrys key international competitors are largely
negative. In particular, positive ratings for Japan are scarce, and the U.S. and India also receive
largely negative reviews. Relatively few Chinese name the U.S., India, or Japan as a partner of
their country, and many consider them enemies.
How the World Sees China and China Sees Itself
Overwhelmingly, the Chinese believe their
country enjoys international popularity. Fully 77% of
those surveyed say people in other countries
generally like China a significant increase from the
68% who expressed this view in Pews 2005 poll.
Is China Generally Liked or Disliked?
DK
13%
Disliked
In fact, the current survey reveals mixed

and increasingly negative international views of
China. Majorities in only seven of 23 countries have
a positive opinion of China, and in the 21 countries
where trends from last year are available, Chinas
favorability rating has declined in nine, increased in
only two, and remained basically the same in 10.
10%
Lik ed
77%
Question text: "How do you think people in other

countries of the world feel about C hina? Is China
generally liked or disliked?" (Q11a)
A similar gap is seen between Chinas selfperception and the views of other publics
Chinas Self Image and Its Global Image
regarding Chinas approach to international
How China
How world
affairs. Slightly more than eight-in-ten (83%)
sees itself sees China*
Chinese think their country takes into account
China considers other
%
%
countries
in
foreign
policy
83
30
the interests of other nations when making
China has/will replace U.S.
foreign policy decisions, but in the other
as leading superpower
58
43
countries surveyed, relatively few believe
China is worlds leading
China considers their interests. Across the 23
economic power
21
18
other nations in the poll, the median percentage
*23 country median percentage from 2008 Pew poll.
Questions 17, 18, 44 and 45.
saying China considers the interests of
countries like theirs in its foreign policy decision making is only 30%.
19
A somewhat smaller gap exists on the question of whether China will replace, or already
has replaced, the United States as the worlds dominant superpower. Nearly six-in-ten Chinese
(58%) think this has either already occurred or will in the future, compared with a median of
43% across the other 23 countries surveyed.
Chinese views mirror public opinion elsewhere on the question of which country is
currently the worlds leading economic power. In China, as well as in nearly every other nation
polled, the U.S. is considered the dominant economic power. Still, in many countries a sizeable
minority name China. The percentage of Chinese who see their own country in the top spot is
21%, just slightly more than the 23-country median of 18%.
Chinas Economic Influence
Most Chinese believe their countrys
rapidly expanding economy is having an impact
around the globe, and they largely see this as a
positive development, not only for China itself,
but the rest of the world. A clear majority (55%)
thinks Chinas economy is having a positive
effect on the economies of other countries, while
just 3% think it is hurting other countries. This
view is especially common among the welleducated 64% of those with a college
education think Chinas growing economy is a
benefit to the rest of the world.
Your Country's Worldwide

Economic Influence is...
Positive
Chinese
views
No influence/Mixed*
55
views
Americans'
Negative
20
61
31
11
*Includes those who say ______ has not much or no

influence, and those who say the influenc e is neither
positive nor negative.(Q30, Q31, Q32c and Q32d)
The way the Chinese people feel about

the impact of their countrys economy contrasts sharply with the way Americans currently feel
about theirs. About six-in-ten Americans (61%) think the U.S. economy is currently having a
negative effect on the rest of the world, while just 20% say the impact is positive.
20
Views of Japan, India, U.S.

The longstanding historical animosity
between China and Japan is clearly reflected in this
survey. Only 21% of Chinese have a favorable view
of Japan, while 69% have an unfavorable opinion.
Nearly four-in-ten (38%) Chinese consider Japan an
enemy, while just 11% think it is a partner, and 37%
say it is neither. Men (42%) are somewhat more
likely than women (35%) to identify Japan as an
enemy. The extent to which these views are tied to
the past is illuminated by the fact that 76% of
Chinese do not think Japan has apologized
sufficiently for its military actions during the 1930s
and 1940s.
How China Sees Other Countries

Partner
38 Neither
Enemy
25
India
viewed
as a...
31
24
13
U.S.
viewed
as a...
41
34
11
Japan
viewed
as a...
37
38
Of course, China has had tensions with

neighboring India in the past as well, including a Questions 58, 58b and 58c.
brief border war in 1962. Chinese attitudes toward India are more positive than attitudes toward
Japan still, only 29% hold a favorable opinion of India, while 50% have a negative view. The
Chinese public is split, however, over whether India is a partner (25%) or an enemy (24%).
Favorable views of the United States are
more common than positive views of Japan or India
41% give the U.S. a favorable rating. However,
only 13% see the U.S. as partner, while roughly a
third (34%) consider the U.S. an enemy.
Where Are Lands of Opportunity?
There is no consensus among Chinese about
where outside of China one can go to lead a good
life. When respondents were asked to recommend a
country where a young person could move to lead a
good life, the most frequently cited countries are
Australia (22%), Canada (17%), and the United
States (15%).
Several European countries make the list,
including Britain (8%), France (8%) and Germany
(3%). However, few recommend any of Chinas
Where to Go for a Good Life

22
Australia
17
Canada
15
U.S.
France
Britain
Japan
Germany
S. Korea 1
Singapore 1
Other 1
None
DK/Refused
10
14
Question text: "Suppose a young person who

wanted to leave this country asked you to
recommend where to go to lead a good life - what
country would you recommend?" (Open-end) (Q35b)
21
Asian neighbors, such as Japan (3%), South Korea (1%) or Singapore (1%).
Attitudes toward the U.S. are tied to perceptions of the ideal destination for a young
person. Respondents who have a favorable opinion of the U.S. are twice as likely to recommend
the U.S. as are those with an unfavorable opinion (23% vs. 10%).
Fewer View Learning English as Necessary for Success
English has often been viewed as the language for business and trade, but the Chinese
have begun to place less value on learning English in order to succeed in the world. While a
majority of Chinese agree that children need to learn English to succeed in the world today,
this percentage has dropped from 92% in 2002 to 77% in 2008. Moreover, they are now much
less likely to completely agree today, only one-third (33%) completely agree that children need
to learn English, compared with two-thirds (66%) who did so in 2002.
Wealthy Chinese are slightly more likely than low-income individuals (37% vs. 30%) to
completely agree that children need to learn English, but among most demographic groups
opinion on this issue is largely uniform. Indeed, men and women of all age groups are equally
likely to agree on the need to learn English to succeed in todays world. Moreover, education is
not a factor in whether or not respondents agree on this issue, as opinion is equally strong across
all educational levels.
22
4. THE OLYMPICS
ublics around the world show signs of

apprehension about Chinas growing economic
power, its role in foreign affairs and the safety of
the products it exports, but the Chinese are confident that
the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing will change the
way their country is viewed. By nearly unanimous
margins, Chinese respondents say their country will be a
successful host and that the Olympic Games will help
Chinas image around the world. (For more results on
opinions about China and other world powers, see
Global Economic Gloom China and India Notable
Exceptions, released June 12, 2008.)
The 2008 Summer Olympics...
96
93
79
Will be
Will help
Are
successful
China's
important
image
to me
personally
Questions 40, 42 and 43b.
In addition to seeing the Beijing Olympics as

good for their country, an overwhelming majority of Chinese across all demographic groups say
the event is important to them personally. Those who live in the host city are especially likely to
say that is the case.
There is also broad optimism about the performance of Chinas athletes among the
Chinese public. Yet, despite the widespread excitement about the Olympics, some in China say
their country is paying too much attention to the games,
and the percentage who expresses that opinion has
Will China Be a Successful Host?
increased since Pew last asked the question in 2006.
Somew hat
The Olympics and Chinas Image

The Chinese are enthusiastic about hosting the
Summer Olympics. More than nine-in-ten say their
country will be successful as a host (96%), including
56% who say it will be very successful. A similar share
is convinced that the games, which will take place in
August in Beijing, will help Chinas image around the
world (93%), unchanged from two years ago.
The view that China will be a successful
Olympics host and that the countrys image will
improve as a result is shared by men and women, the
unsuc c essful
1%
Somew hat
suc c essful
40%
3%
V ery
suc c essful
56%
Question text: "Do you think China's hosting of

the Olympics will be very successful, somewhat
successful, somewhat unsuccessful, or very
unsuccessful?" (Q43b)
23
DK
young and the old, and the rich and the poor alike. Moreover, those who do not live in Beijing
are just as likely as those who live in the host city to say that China will be a successful host
(96% vs. 98%).
Most See Olympics as Important
Positive feelings about the Summer Olympics extend beyond the belief that the event will
be good for China. Nearly eight-in-ten Chinese (79%) say the Olympics will be important to
them personally, while just 17% say it will not be important to them.
Solid majorities across all demographic
groups say the Olympics impact them
personally, but those in the host city are
considerably more likely than those in other
cities and provinces to express that view. Fully
nine-in-ten in Beijing say the Olympics are
important to them, compared with 79% in other
parts of the country.
How Important Are the Olympics to You?
Important
Not important
Dont know
Total
%
79
17
3
Beijing
%
90
10
1
Outside
Beijing
%
79
18
3
Question text: How important are the Olympics to you

personallyvery important, somewhat important, not
very important, or not at all important? (Q40)
Opinions about whether the Olympics are important on a personal level also vary
somewhat by age, income, and education. Fully 78% of Chinese respondents who are ages 50 or
older say the Olympics are important to them, but an even higher percentage of those who are
under 30 say that is the case (83%). Among those with low household incomes, three-quarters
see the Olympics as important to them personally and 21% say it is not important. By contrast,
87% of Chinese respondents with high incomes say the event is important to them and just 12%
say it is not.
Optimism about Chinese Athletes
The Chinese have confidence that their countrys
athletes will perform well in August. Three-quarters say
China, which finished third, behind the United States and
Russia, at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, will win
the most medals. Only 15% think the U.S. will take home
the most medals.
Women are somewhat more likely than men to say
China will perform better than any other country. About
eight-in-ten women (78%) say their country will win the
most medals, compared with 72% of men. Those with less
than a high school education, and those in the middle and
24
Which Country Will

Win the Most Medals?
75
China
15
U.S.
Other
Question text: "Which country do you

think will win the most medals in the
Olympics--China, the United States,
Russia, Germany, or some other
country?" (Q41)
lower income groups, are also more optimistic about Chinas chances.
Beijing residents are the least confident that Chinese athletes will outperform their
opponents. Fewer than six-in-ten (58%) say China will win the most medals and more than fourin-ten (42%) think the United States will. Outside of the host city, 76% name China and 14%
name the U.S. as the country that will take home the most prizes.
Attention to the Olympics
Overall, more Chinese respondents say people in China
are paying the right amount of attention to the Olympics than say
they are paying too much or too little attention. But the
percentage saying they are paying too much attention has
increased since 2006. More than one-in-three Chinese (34%) now
say that people in China are paying too much attention to the
Olympics; just one-in-four shared that view two years ago. About
one-in-five (18%) say the Chinese are not paying enough
attention to the Summer Games.
Attention to the Olympics

2006
%
Too much
25
Not enough
21
Right amount 43
Dont know
11
2008
%
34
18
44
5
Question text: Overall, do you

think we are paying too much
attention to the Olympics, not
enough attention, or just the
right amount of attention? (Q43)
The opinion that there is too much focus on the Olympics is more prevalent in the host
city than in other parts of the country. Beijing residents are nearly evenly split 46% say people
are paying too much attention to the Olympics and 51% say they are paying the right amount of
attention. Only 2% in Beijing say that not enough attention is being paid. Outside of Beijing,
however, 33% say people are paying too much attention, 19% say they are paying too little
attention, and 43% say they are paying the right amount of attention to the games.
25
5. Modern Life and Values
ost Chinese embrace a free market approach to economics. Seven-in-ten in this

formerly socialist country feel people are better off in a free market economy, even
though it may result in a gap between rich and poor. This faith in free markets cuts
across demographic groups women and men, more-and-less educated, rich and poor, young
and old agree that the capitalist system is best.
Support for environmental protection is also widespread, and the Chinese are willing to
sacrifice some economic growth for the sake of protecting the natural world. Eight-in-ten in
China profess an interest in protecting the environment, even if doing so has a negative impact
on jobs and growth. Just as with support for free markets, this support for protecting the
environment is widespread and not constrained to a particular group.
Most in this rapidly changing society also say they like the pace of modern life. At the
same time, however, many say that the country is losing its traditions. This sentiment is
especially pronounced among the young, the well-educated, the wealthy and those residing in big
cities.
Support for Free Markets
Despite the emphasis on individualism often

associated with capitalism and modernity, most Chinese
continue to believe that success in life is determined largely
by outside forces. Perhaps surprisingly, wealthier Chinese
the very people who are thriving in the new China are
especially likely to hold this view.
Support for Free Markets
At this time of rapid growth and general satisfaction
with the economy, along with the widespread concern about
the gap between rich and poor noted above, seven-in-ten say
people are generally better off in a free market economy,
even though some may be rich and others poor. But only
16% of those surveyed completely agree.
Pro-capitalism sentiments are remarkably consistent
across various demographic groups including gender, age,
education and income. For instance, high-income (72%),
middle-income (70%), and low-income (70%) respondents
26
Total
People are better off

in free markets
Agree Disagree
%
%
70
28
Men
Women
71
70
28
27
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
70
70
71
70
27
28
27
28
College or above 72
High school
70
Less than HS
70
28
29
26
High income
Middle income
Low income
72
70
70
28
29
27
City
Town
Rural
68
63
79
32
34
17
East
Central
West
74
73
62
25
23
36
Question text: Most people are better

off in a free market economy, even
though some people are rich and some
are poor. (Q11ba)
have essentially identical views on this question.

Views of the market do differ slightly according to where people live residents of rural
areas (79%) are especially likely to embrace free markets. On the other hand, those who live in
the westernmost area covered by the survey (62%) are less likely than others to do so.
Free Market Opponents Have the Most Concerns
While opponents and advocates of free markets
resemble each other in demographic terms, they differ
over concern about national issues. More opponents than
supporters of free markets consider various economic
issues a big problem. For instance, while nearly threequarters (73%) of free market opponents consider
unemployment a big problem, only two-thirds of
supporters do so. Also, while nearly two-thirds (65%) of
free market opponents consider worker conditions a big
problem, roughly half (53%) do among supporters.
The same pattern exists for health care and education.
More opponents than supporters voice concerns about health
care (59% vs. 49%), and education (49% vs. 38%). By
contrast, both groups hold similar views on the safety of food
and medicines.
Prioritizing the Environment Even at Economic Cost
Free markets are important to the Chinese, but so, too,
is the environment. Eight-in-ten Chinese agree that protecting
the environment should be given priority, even if it leads to
slower economic growth and some loss of jobs (17%
disagree).
For many, protecting the environment is a stronglyheld view. Nearly one-third (31%) completely agree with
prioritizing the environment.
Just as with faith in free markets, the belief that the
environment should be a priority varies little across various
demographic groups including gender, age, education and
income. For example, roughly equal percentages of people
27
Views of Free Markets and

Issue Priorities
Pro
free
markets
% big problem
%
Unemployment
67
Worker conditions
53
Health care
49
Safety of food
48
Safety of medicines
46
Education
38
Antifree
markets
%
73
65
59
51
49
49
Questions 8d, 8e, 8f, 8j, 8k, 8o.
Support for the Environment
Total
Protecting environment
should be a priority
Agree Disagree
%
%
80
17
Men
Women
81
79
17
17
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
79
80
81
80
18
17
17
16
College or above 79
High school
79
Less than HS
81
19
19
15
High income
Middle income
Low income
78
79
81
19
19
15
City
Town
Rural
77
79
84
22
17
12
East
Central
West
74
84
84
24
11
14
Question text: Protecting the

environment should be given priority,
even if it causes slower economic
growth and some loss of jobs.
with a college (79%), high school (79%) or less than high school (81%) education favor
protecting the environment even at the cost of economic growth.
Interest in protecting the environment, however, does vary by place of residence. Those
in rural areas (84%) are particularly likely to express an interest in protecting the environment
(city 77%, town 79%), while those in the eastern survey area (74%) are a little less likely than
those in other areas (central 84%, west 84%) to do so.
Liking the Modern Life
Most are happy with the pace of
modern life in China. About seven-in-ten
(71%) say they like the pace of modern life,
while just one-quarter do not. Slightly more
Chinese are happy with the pace of life today
(71%) than were in 2002 (65%).
Satisfaction with the pace of modern
life is greater among young people 77% of
those ages 18-29 are happy with it compared
with 66% of those ages 50 years or older.
There are also differences among
educational groups nearly eight-in-ten (78%)
Chinese with a college education or more are
comfortable with the tempo of life, compared
with roughly seven-in-ten of those with a high
school education (68%) or less (70%).
Conflicting Views of Change in China
Total
Modern life
Dont
Like like
%
%
71
25
Traditional ways
Getting Remain
lost
strong
%
%
59
37
Men
Women
69
73
26
23
61
57
36
39
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
77
73
69
66
21
23
26
29
67
59
55
55
28
36
41
42
College or above 78
High school
68
Less than HS
70
19
28
24
68
64
52
27
34
43
High income
Middle income
Low income
74
73
68
23
22
28
67
60
54
31
36
42
City
Town
Rural
69
69
74
26
27
21
65
59
51
34
36
43
East
Central
West
77
67
67
19
28
28
62
57
55
35
37
42
Question 12 and 13.
People living in rural areas (74%) are

slightly more likely than city-dwellers (69%) to be comfortable with the speed of 21st century
life. The pace of modernity is also especially popular in eastern China (77% vs. 67% in central
and western China).
28
Traditional Way of Life is Getting Lost

Even though most Chinese approve of modern life, many also worry about fading
traditions. Most Chinese (59%) think their traditional way of life is getting lost, and this view is
especially common among young, well-educated, wealthy, and urban Chinese groups that are
particularly likely to be involved in the fast paced culture of modern China.
Two-thirds of those ages 18-29 are convinced that traditional ways of life are being lost,
men in this age group (72%) are especially inclined to feel this sense of loss (compared with
62% of women ages 18-29).
When it comes to income, the more money a family has, the more likely they believe
time-honored daily practices are getting lost. Two-thirds of high-income earners sense a loss of
traditions, compared with six-in-ten in the middle-income group and 54% of those with low
incomes.
A similar pattern exists where education is concerned. The college educated (68%) and
those with high school educations (64%) are the most likely to feel that traditional approaches to
life are getting lost, while people with less than a high school education (52%) are less likely to
do so.
Proximity to urban areas also appears to encourage a sense of loss of customary practices;
more than six-in-ten (65%) people living in a major city feel a loss of time-honored customs,
while just over half do (51%) among those living in rural areas.
While a solid majority of Chinese are
convinced that their traditional ways of doing
things are getting lost, fewer feel this way now
(59%) than in 2002 (68%).
Traditional Way of Life

Our traditional way
of life is.
Getting lost
Remains strong
DK/Refused
2002
%
68
27
5
2007
%
60
35
5
2008
%
59
37
4
Those who are happy with the pace of

Question 13.
modern life are more likely to feel that traditional
ways of doing things remain strong (40%) than people who are unhappy with the pace of change
in China (33%).
29
Success Determined More By Outside Forces

When it comes to the issue of what determines success in life outside forces or the
individual the Chinese people overwhelmingly believe it is determined by forces beyond an
individuals control. About six-in-ten Chinese (62%) agree, many completely (14%), with the
notion that success in life is largely determined by outside forces. One-third disagree, while only
4% completely disagree. These figures have changed little since last year, when 65% agreed and
30% disagreed.
In the 2007 poll, China emerged as one of the
least individualistic nations on the survey on this
particular measure, ranking 40th out of 47 countries in
terms of levels of disagreement with the idea that
success is mostly beyond an individuals control. The
U.S. and Canada tied for the top spot in both
countries, 64% disagreed.
Chinese who believe individuals rather than
outside forces determine success, are somewhat more
likely to be relatively young. Slightly more among those
ages 18-29 (35%) and 30-39 (36%) reject the power of
outside forces in success than do those ages 40-49
(31%) and 50 or older (31%).
Interestingly, the belief that success is primarily
shaped by external forces is especially common among
wealthier Chinese. Nearly seven-in-ten (69%) highincome earners attribute personal success to outside
forces, while fewer middle- (61%) and low-income
respondents (59%) say the same.
30
Success Determined By
Outside Forces
Total
% very or somewhat
Disagree
Agree
%
%
62
33
Men
Women
60
63
35
31
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
61
58
64
63
35
36
31
31
College or above 64
High school
63
Less than HS
60
34
35
32
High income
Middle income
Low income
69
61
59
30
36
34
City
Town
Rural
67
49
64
32
44
27
East
Central
West
67
58
59
31
34
36
Question 11bb.
6. Technology Use
ore than one-third of those surveyed in China report owning a computer (36%) and
using the internet (38%) at least occasionally. One-quarter (25%) report sending
email at least occasionally. 4
Computer ownership remained steady

between 2007 (37%) and 2008 (36%) after increasing
from 2002 (28%). Reported internet and email usage
patterns also changed little since 2007. The Chinese
are slightly more likely to use the internet
occasionally now (38%) than they were in 2007
(34%), and are equally likely to send email at least
infrequently (25% in 2008 vs. 24% in 2007).
Technology Owners and Users

No
Own
computer
Use
According to 2007 Pew data, China is in the

middle of the global information technology owning
and using pack China ranked 20th of 47 countries on
computer ownership, 25th on internet usage and 30th
on email usage.
internet
Use e-mail
Yes
64 36
62 38
75 25
Questions 86 through 88.
Technology Owners and Users

Chinese technology users look a great deal alike. First, they tend to be young. Chinese
ages 18-29 (48%) are somewhat more likely than are those ages 30-39 (36%) or 40-49 (35%) and
nearly twice as likely as those 50 or older (26%) to own a computer. Young Chinese are also
twice as likely or more to use the internet and send email as are those 30 years old or older.
Second, as expected, computer users tend to be more educated. Those who have a college
or high school education are far more likely than those with less education to own a computer
and use computer technology.
Third, they tend to be wealthier. Those with a high income are more likely to own a
computer and use the internet and email than those who earn less.
As noted previously, the polls sample in China is disproportionately urban, and given that the use of information
technology is much more common in urban areas, these percentages would in all likelihood be significantly lower if
the sample were nationally representative.
31
Fourth, tech-savvy Chinese are inclined to reside in urban environments. Chinese who
live in the cities are more likely than those living in rural places to own a computer (56% vs. 8%)
and use the internet (51% vs. 14%) and email (36% vs. 6%).
Not surprisingly, computer ownership also
plays a role in technology use. Those who own a
computer are much more likely to use the internet
(77%) and send e-mail (54%) than those who do not
own a computer (16% use Internet, 9% send email).
Technology Owners and Users:

Young, Educated, Wealthy,
and Urban
Total
A Gender Divide
Overall, gender plays a very limited role in
computer ownership and internet use. Men are only
slightly more likely to access the internet than are
women (40% vs. 36%), and are about equally likely to
own a computer (36% vs. 35%) and send email (26%
vs. 23%).
However, young men are particularly likely to
use information technology. Over eight-in-ten (82%)
men ages 18-29 use the internet while 73% of women
in the same age group do. In addition, while 62% of
young men (18-29) report sending email at least
occasionally, only 54% of young women do. But
younger women (ages 18-29) are about equally likely
to own a computer as are young men (47% vs. 50%).
32
Own
Use
Use
computer internet email
%
%
%
36
38
25
Men
Women
36
35
40
36
26
23
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
48
36
35
26
77
43
27
13
58
27
15
5
College or above 78
High school
49
Less than HS
14
88
52
14
74
31
5
High income
Middle income
Low income
74
40
15
64
43
22
49
27
11
City
Town
Rural
56
40
8
51
48
14
36
30
6
East
Central
West
48
29
26
42
34
37
31
19
22
Questions 86 through 88.
7. News Sources
n the midst of a rapidly changing society, Chinese news source choices are clear and
consistent with those of publics across the globe: television dominates. This tendency to turn
to television is not new overwhelming majorities in China reported using television as a
news source in both 2002 and 2007. Many also turn to newspapers, but in China, as in much
of the world, newspaper readership is in decline.
Fewer turn to the internet, although the number of people going online for news has risen
slightly over the last year. Young people, the well-educated and the wealthy are considerably
more likely than others to name the internet as a top news source. And these same groups are
much more likely to use the internet generally, as well as to own computers and use email.
TV is Primary Source of National and International News
Nearly all Chinese (96%) say television is
National and International News Sources
their first or second choice for international and
national news, and fully 88% say it is their top
1st choice for news
2nd choice for news
choice. A majority (56%) say newspapers are one
of their top two sources, although just 5% turn first
Net
to newspapers. Only 13% say the internet is one of
96
88
Television
their top two sources, and even fewer turn to radio
(5%) or magazines (2%).
The dominance of television news is not
new about the same number of people mentioned
television in 2007 (96%) and 2002 (94%).
On the other hand, newspaper usage is in
decline among Chinese. Just over half (56%) still
consider newspapers one of their top news
sources, but this is down from 63% last year and
72% in 2002. Radio usage is also in decline,
dropping from 8% last year to 5% this year.
Newspapers
Internet
Radio
13
5
1
Magazines
0
Percent who cite each as their first or second source
for national and international news.
(Q60 and Q62)
33
56
The trend is the reverse for the internet. While few go

online for national and international news, slightly more name
the internet as one of their top two sources now (13%) than did
so a year ago (9%).
Chinese news source choices are consistent with those
of publics worldwide. 5 In 2007, fully two-thirds or more in 44
of the 47 countries surveyed said that television was their first
or second choice for national and foreign news. At the same
time, newspapers functioned as a secondary source of
information in every country surveyed, although readership
had declined steeply in many countries between 2002 and
2007.
Newspaper and Internet Users
Highly educated, high income, and urban Chinese are
particularly likely to read newspapers and use the internet for
national and international news. Those under age 30 are also
more likely to go online, although they are actually less
likely than those age 30 and over to read newspapers.
More among the high school (73%) and collegeeducated populations (57%) get Chinese and world news
from newspapers than do those with less than a high school
education (45%). Similarly, while nearly four-in-ten (39%)
of those with a college education or more turn to the internet
to get national and international news, only 14% do of those
with a high school education and 4% of those with less than
a high school education.
A smiliar pattern exists when considering income.
More in the highest income bracket rely on newspapers
(70%) and the internet (21%) than do those in the middleincome (63% newspapers, 16% internet) or low-income
groups (46% newspapers, 6% internet).
National and International

News Sources
2002
%
Television 94
Newspapers 72
Internet
8
Radio
11
Magazines
1
2007
%
96
63
9
8
3
2008
%
96
56
13
5
2
Questions 60 and 62.

Percent who cite each as their first
or second source for national and
international news.
Newspaper & Net Users for

News: Educated, Wealthy,
Urban
Total
Newspapers Net
%
%
56
13
Men
Women
59
53
14
12
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
50
60
60
53
33
13
7
2
College or above
High school
Less than HS
57
73
45
39
14
4
High income
Middle income
Low income
70
63
46
21
16
6
City
Town
Rural
77
56
31
15
20
4
East
Central
West
58
52
58
13
13
11
Computer owner
Not comp. owner
63
52
30
3
Internet user
Not internet user
61
53
32
1
Email user
Not email user
57
56
40
4
Percent who cite each as their first or

second source for national and
international news. (Q60 and Q62)
For more on global opinions about news sources, see World Publics Welcome Global Trade, Pew Global
Attitudes Project, released October 4, 2007.
34
Urban areas are havens for newspaper and internet users. Far more among city-dwellers
(77%) and those living in towns (56%) turn to newspapers than do those in more rural areas
(31%). People living in more urban areas (15% city, 20% town) are also more likely to turn to
the internet for news than are those in rural areas (4%).
Internet news consumers also tend to be younger. One-third of those ages 18-29 turn to
the internet to get news about national and international news. Only 13% among those ages 3039 go online for news, while fewer still do so among people ages 40-49 (7%) or 50 and over
(2%). Those in the 18-29 age range are, however, less likely than people age 30 and older to rely
on newspapers for news.
Most computer owners (95%) and internet (95%) and e-mail users (92%) also opt to get
their news through television programming. However, these tech-savvy Chinese are far more
likely to name the internet as one of their top two sources of news than are non-owners and nonusers. Computer owners (63%) and internet users (61%) are also more likely to get their news
from newspapers than are non-computer owners (52%) and non-internet users (53%).
A majority (62%) of Chinese who access the internet as a primary or secondary source
for national and international news use the major internet news sites of Sina or Sohu. Solid and
nearly equal percentages volunteered that they use Sina or Sohu as well as other internet sources
(18%), or sources other than Sina or Sohu (19%).
TV The News Source For Critical Information
When searching for information in a crisis,
most Chinese rely on television. Seven-in-ten say
that if they heard about a problem with food or
water safety that might affect them or their family,
they would turn to television for more information.
Far fewer, but still more than one-in-ten
(13%), would turn to newspapers more than
double the percentage of Chinese who first turn to
newspapers for information about national and
international news.
Just under one-in-ten Chinese would look
to the internet (9%) for information. A majority
(56%) of those who choose the internet as their
primary source for food and water safety-related
News Sources for Food/Water

Safety Issues
13
Newspapers
Internet
Radio
Govt notice
Told by others
DK/Ref
Question text: "If you heard about a problem with

food or water safety that might affect you or your
family, where would you go for more information?"
(Q64)
35
70
Television
information would go to the major news sites Sina or

Sohu. Nearly one-quarter (23%) would go to internet
sources other than Sina or Sohu, while 19% volunteer
that they would go to Sina and Sohu and other internet
sources.
Just as with national and international news,
information sources for food and water safety issues
vary by age. Chinese age 50 or older (76%) are far
more likely to turn to television for health and safety
related news than those ages 18-29 (61%). Meanwhile,
18-29 year-olds are especially likely to favor the
internet as a news source (21%).
Television is relatively less important, and
newspapers and the internet more important, for welleducated, wealthier, urban, and tech-savvy Chinese.
Just under half (48%) of those with a college
education or more would rely on television, compared
with nearly two-thirds (65%) with a high school
education and nearly eight-in-ten (79%) with less than
a high school education.
Food & Water Safety Information:

TV vs. Newspaper & Net Users
Total
TV
%
70
Newspapers
%
13
Net
%
9
Men
Women
69
71
14
12
10
8
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
61
70
71
76
12
15
15
10
21
9
5
2
College or above
High school
Less than HS
48
65
79
22
19
7
26
10
3
High income
Middle income
Low income
55
72
76
22
14
9
16
10
4
City
Town
Rural
60
71
80
26
7
3
10
15
3
East
Central
West
68
75
66
14
8
17
11
8
7
Computer owner 56
Not comp. owner 78
18
10
21
2
Internet user
56
Not Internet user 78
18
10
21
1
Email user
Not email user
19
11
24
4
52
76
Question 64.
More than one-fifth (22%) of college-educated Chinese would rely on newspapers while
more than one-quarter (26%) would turn to the internet. Far fewer with less than a high school
education would choose the same sources (7% newspapers, 3% internet).
The same patterns hold when considering income. Those in the highest income bracket
would rely less on television (55%) and more on newspapers (23%) and the internet (16%) than
those in the lowest income bracket (76% television, 9% newspapers, 4% internet).
City dwellers (26%) are especially likely to turn to the internet for this kind of
information and are less likely than those in medium sized towns or rural areas to turn to
television (60%).
As with national and international news, tech-savvy Chinese would tend to go to
television programming for food and water safety-related news. Still, more computer owners and
internet users would turn to newspapers and the internet than non-owners and non-users.
36
2008 Pew Global Attitudes Survey in China

--Survey Methods-Results for the survey are based on face-to-face interviews conducted March 28 to April 19,
2008. Data were cited from Horizon Market Researchs self-sponsored survey Chinese People View the
World.
The survey in China is part of the larger 2008 Pew Global Attitudes survey conducted in 24
countries. Results for the other 23 survey countries are based on face-to-face and telephone interviews
conducted under the direction of Princeton Survey Research Associates International from March 17 to
April 21, 2008. (For more results from Pews 24-country 2008 poll, see Global Economic Gloom
China and India Notable Exceptions, released June 12, 2008.)
The table below provides details about the surveys methodology, including the margin of
sampling error based on all interviews conducted in China. For the results based on the full sample, one
can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or
minus the margin of error. In addition to sampling error, one should bear in mind that question wording
and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of opinion
polls.
The
sample,
which
is
disproportionately representative of Chinas
urban areas, includes eight major cities, as
well as medium-sized towns and rural areas
in eight Chinese provinces. The area covered
by the sample represents approximately 42%
of the countrys adult population. The cities
sampled were Beijing, Changsha, Chongqing,
Guangzhou, Harbin, Shanghai, Wuhan and
Xian. The towns and rural areas were
sampled from the provinces of Guangxi,
Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Jiangxi, Liaoning,
Shanxi and Zhejiang.
Survey Details
Sample Design
Probability
Mode
Face-to-face adults 18 plus
Languages
Chinese
(dialects: Mandarin, Henan, Sichun,
Shanghaiese, Guizhou, Hebei,
Shanxi, Cantonese, Guangxi, Hubei,
Zhjiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Beijingese,
Dongbei, Anhui)
Fieldwork dates
March 28 - April 19, 2008
Sample size
3,212
Margin of error
2%
Notes on the topline results:
In the topline results that begin on page 39, due to rounding the percentages may not total 100%. The
topline total columns always show 100%, however, because they are based on unrounded numbers.
The 2007 and 2008 Global Attitudes surveys use a different process to generate toplines than previous
Global Attitudes surveys. As a result, numbers may differ slightly from previously published
numbers.
37
Questions previously released in Global Economic Gloom China and India Notable Exceptions
include Q2, Q4-Q6, Q10a-Q10d, Q10h-Q10i, Q10l, Q10n-Q10o, Q14-Q18, Q21a-Q21c, Q21e,
Q21g-Q22, Q24-Q29, Q30-Q31, Q32a-Q32b, Q33-35a, Q36-Q37, Q39, Q44-Q45, Q47-Q50, Q52Q55, Q56-Q58a, and Q59a-Q59f.
Questions held for future release: Q1, Q10e- Q10g, Q10j-Q10k, Q10m, Q19-Q20, Q21d, Q21f, Q23aQ23e, Q32, Q55a-Q55d, and Q73-Q85.
In the following topline, the results for questions Q2, Q4, Q10a, Q10i, Q10l, Q17, Q18, Q52, and
Q58 are shown for China only, but are available for the other 23 countries in Global Economic
Gloom China and India Notable Exceptions.
38
The 2008 Pew Global Attitudes Survey in China

Final Topline
Q2 Overall, are you satisfied or dissatisfied
with the way things are going in our country
today?
China
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
86
11
100
Spring, 2007
83
12
100
Spring, 2006
81
13
100
May, 2005
72
19
10
100
Summer, 2002
48
33
19
100
Q3a As I read each of the following, please tell me whether you are very satisfied,
somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with this aspect of your
life: a. your household income?
China
Very satisfied
Somewhat
satisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Very
dissatisfied
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
54
37
100
Spring, 2007
44
45
100
Summer, 2002
48
36
13
100
Q3b As I read each of the following, please tell me whether you are very satisfied,
life: b. your family life?
China
Very satisfied
Somewhat
satisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Very
dissatisfied
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
14
67
16
100
Spring, 2007
10
69
19
100
Summer, 2002
13
69
15
100
Q3c As I read each of the following, please tell me whether you are very satisfied,
life: c. your job? (BASED ON THOSE WHO ARE EMPLOYED)
China
Very satisfied
Somewhat
satisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Very
dissatisfied
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
60
31
100
2406
Spring, 2007
48
38
100
2101
Summer, 2002
57
26
100
1719
Q4 Now thinking about our economic situation, how would you describe the
current economic situation in (survey country) is it very good, somewhat good,
somewhat bad or very bad?
China
Very good
Somewhat
good
Somewhat bad
Very bad
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
77
13
100
Spring, 2007
16
66
13
100
Summer, 2002
49
37
10
100
39
Q7a How easy or difficult is it for you and your family to afford (INSERT) very
easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult or very difficult? a. Food
China
Very easy
Somewhat
easy
Somewhat
difficult
Very difficult
DK/Refused
Total
14
71
14
100
Spring, 2008 --
Q7b How easy or difficult is it for you and your family to afford (INSERT) very easy, somewhat easy,
somewhat difficult or very difficult? b. Health care
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very easy
Somewhat
easy
Somewhat
difficult
Very difficult
Does not
apply (VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
43
39
100
Q7c How easy or difficult is it for you and your family to afford (INSERT) very easy, somewhat easy,
somewhat difficult or very difficult? c. Taxes
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very easy
Somewhat
easy
Somewhat
difficult
Very difficult
Does not
apply (VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
21
10
61
100
Q7d How easy or difficult is it for you and your family to afford (INSERT) very easy, somewhat easy,
somewhat difficult or very difficult? d. Savings for retirement
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very easy
Somewhat
easy
Somewhat
difficult
Very difficult
Does not
apply (VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
34
27
25
100
Q7e How easy or difficult is it for you and your family to afford (INSERT) very easy, somewhat easy,
somewhat difficult or very difficult? e. Water, electricity, gas, and heating
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very easy
Somewhat
easy
Somewhat
difficult
Very difficult
Does not
apply (VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
11
69
15
100
Q7f How easy or difficult is it for you and your family to afford (INSERT) very easy, somewhat easy,
somewhat difficult or very difficult? f. Education
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very easy
Somewhat
easy
Somewhat
difficult
Very difficult
Does not
apply (VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
42
23
24
100
Q8a Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
Please tell me if you think it is a very big problem, a moderately big problem, a small
problem or not a problem at all: a. The gap between rich and poor
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
41
48
100
Q8b Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: b. Air pollution
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
31
43
21
100
40
Q8c Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: c. Corrupt businesspeople
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
21
40
22
14
100
Q8d Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: d. Conditions for workers
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
13
43
31
100
Q8e Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: e. Unemployment
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
22
46
24
100
Q8f Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: f. Safety of food
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
12
37
42
100
Q8g Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: g. Water pollution
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
28
38
26
100
Q8h Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: h. Rising prices
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
72
24
100
Q8i Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: i. Quality of manufactured goods
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
13
42
38
100
41
Q8j Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: j. Health care
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
12
39
40
100
Q8k Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: k. Education
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
11
31
42
13
100
Q8l Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: l. Crime
China
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
17
44
30
100
Spring, 2007
22
58
18
100
Summer, 2002
40
49
100
Q8m Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: m. Corrupt officials
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
39
39
14
100
Q8n Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: n. Old age insurance
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
13
40
35
100
Q8o Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: o. Safety of medicine
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
37
42
100
Q8p Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: p. Traffic
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
30
40
21
100
42
Q8q Now I am going to read you a list of things that may be problems in our country.
problem or not a problem at all: q. Electricity shortages
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very big
problem
Moderately big
problem
Small problem
Not a problem at
all
DK/Refused
Total
23
43
29
100
Q9 How would you rate the job the government is doing on the issues that are
most important to you personally very good, somewhat good, somewhat bad,
or very bad?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very good
Somewhat
good
Somewhat bad
Very bad
DK/Refused
Total
63
24
100
Q10a On a different topic, please tell me if you have a very favorable, somewhat
favorable, somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion of: a. The United States
China
Very favorable
Somewhat
favorable
Somewhat
unfavorable
Very
unfavorable
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
36
37
11
11
100
Spring, 2007
32
47
10
100
Spring, 2006
38
37
10
100
May, 2005
37
40
13
100
Q10i On a different topic, please tell me if you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable,
somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion of: i. Japan
China
Very favorable
Somewhat
favorable
Somewhat
unfavorable
Very
unfavorable
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
19
35
34
100
Spring, 2007
14
35
43
100
Spring, 2006
19
41
29
10
100
May, 2005
14
33
43
100
Q10l On a different topic, please tell me if you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable,
somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable opinion of: l. India
China
Very favorable
Somewhat
favorable
Somewhat
unfavorable
Very
unfavorable
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
27
38
12
20
100
Spring, 2007
27
45
12
15
100
Spring, 2006
31
38
24
100
Q11a How do you think people in other

countries of the world feel about China? Is
China generally like or disliked?
China
Generally
liked
Generally
disliked
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
77
10
13
100
May, 2005
68
16
16
100
43
Q11ba Please tell me whether you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly disagree
or completely disagree with the following statements: a. Most people are better off in
a free market economy, even though some people are rich and some are poor
China
Completely
agree
Mostly agree
Mostly
disagree
Completely
disagree
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
16
54
24
100
Spring, 2007
15
60
20
100
Summer, 2002
19
51
20
100
Q11bb Please tell me whether you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly disagree
or completely disagree with the following statements: b. Success in life is pretty
much determined by forces outside our control
China
Completely
agree
Mostly agree
Mostly
disagree
Completely
disagree
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
14
48
29
100
Spring, 2007
17
48
27
100
Summer, 2002
14
44
20
17
100
Q11bc Please tell me whether you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly disagree
or completely disagree with the following statements: c. Children need to learn
English to succeed in the world today
China
Completely
agree
Mostly agree
Mostly
disagree
Completely
disagree
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
33
44
17
100
Summer, 2002
66
26
100
Q11bd Please tell me whether you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly disagree
or completely disagree with the following statements: d. Protecting the environment
should be given priority, even if it causes slower economic growth and some loss of
jobs
China
Completely
agree
Mostly agree
Mostly
disagree
Completely
disagree
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
31
49
14
100
Spring, 2007
33
50
14
100
Q12 Which of the following comes closer to your

view? I like the pace of modern life, or I do not
like the pace of modern life.
China
Like pace of
modern life
Do not like
pace of
modern life
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
71
25
100
Summer, 2002
65
28
100
44
Q13 Which of these comes closer to your view? Our

traditional way of life is getting lost, OR our
traditional way of life remains strong.
China
Our traditional
way of life is
getting lost
Our traditional
way of life
remains strong
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
59
37
100
Spring, 2007
60
35
100
Summer, 2002
68
27
100
Q17 Today, which ONE of the following do you think is the worlds leading economic power?
China
The United
States
China
Japan [OR]
The countries
of the
European
Union
48
21
Spring, 2008 --
Other (VOL)
None/ There is
no leading
economic
power (VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
16
100
Q18 Which comes closest to your view China will eventually

replace the U.S. as the worlds leading superpower; China has
already replaced the U.S. as the worlds leading superpower; or
China will never replace the U.S. as the worlds leading
superpower?
China
Will eventually
replace US
Has already
replaced US
Will never
replace US
DK/Refused
Total
53
23
19
100
Spring, 2008 --
Q32c In your opinion, how much, if at all, does what happens in the Chinese
economy affect economic conditions in the rest of the world?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Great deal
Fair amount
Not too much
Not at all
DK/Refused
Total
12
51
22
10
100
Q32d ASK IF A GREAT DEAL OR A FAIR AMOUNT IN Q32c:

Right now, is the Chinese economy having a positive or
negative impact on economic conditions in the rest of the
world?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Positive
Negative
Neither/both
(VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
88
100
1993
Q35b Suppose a young person who wanted to leave this country asked you to recommend where to go to lead a good life what country would you recommend?
(PRE-CODED OPEN ENDDO NOT READ LIST)
China
Spring, 2008 --
United States
15
Australia
22
Britain
8
Canada
17
France
8
Germany
3
Japan
3
Singapore
1
South Korea
1
Other
1
None
10
DK/Refused
14
Q40 How important are the Olympics to you personally very important,
somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not very
important
Not at all
important
DK/Refused
Total
31
48
16
100
45
Total
100
Q41 Which country do you think will win the most medals in the Olympics China, the
United States, Russia, Germany, or some other country? (ONE RESPONSE ONLY)
China
Spring, 2008 --
China
US
Russia
Germany
Other
[SPECIFY]
DK/Refused
Total
75
15
100
Q42 Do you think the Olympics will help Chinas image

around the world, hurt Chinas image around the world, or
will the Olympics have no impact on Chinas image?
China
Help
Hurt
No impact
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
93
100
Spring, 2006
93
100
Q43 Overall, do you think we are paying too much attention to

the Olympics, not enough attention, or just the right amount of
attention?
China
Too much
Not enough
Right amount
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
34
18
44
100
Spring, 2006
25
21
43
11
100
Q43b Do you think Chinas hosting of the Olympics will be very successful, somewhat
successful, somewhat unsuccessful, or very unsuccessful?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Very
successful
Somewhat
successful
Somewhat
unsuccessful
Very
unsuccessful
DK/Refused
Total
56
40
100
Q45 In making international policy decisions, to what extent do you think China
takes into account the interests of other countries around the world a great
deal, a fair amount, not too much, or not at all?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Great deal
Fair amount
Not too much
Not at all
DK/Refused
Total
15
68
11
100
Q51 How much, if anything, have you read or heard about the recalls of food
and goods manufactured and sold here in China over the past year a lot, a
little, not much, or nothing at all?
China
Spring, 2008 --
A lot
A little
Not much
Nothing at all
DK/Refused
Total
15
41
27
15
100
Q52 Thinking about Japan, overall, do you think that Japan has
apologized sufficiently for its military actions during the 1930s and
1940s, that Japan has not apologized sufficiently, or do you think
no apology is necessary?
China
Yes has
apologized
sufficiently
No has not
apologized
sufficiently
No apology
necessary
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
76
14
100
Spring, 2006
81
12
100
46
Q58 Overall, do you think of the U.S. as more of a partner of

(survey country), more of an enemy of (survey country), or
neither?
China
More of a
partner
More of an
enemy
Neither
DK/Refused
Total
13
34
41
12
100
Spring, 2008 --
Q58b Overall, do you think of India as more of a partner of

China, more of an enemy of China, or neither?
China
More of a
partner
More of an
enemy
Neither
DK/Refused
Total
25
24
31
19
100
Spring, 2008 --
Q58c Overall, do you think of Japan as more of a partner of

China, more of an enemy of China, or neither?
China
More of a
partner
More of an
enemy
Neither
DK/Refused
Total
11
38
37
13
100
Spring, 2008 --
Q60 Now Id like to ask some questions about how you have been getting most of your news. Where do you
most often turn to get news about national and international issues - television, newspapers, radio,
magazines, or the internet?
China
Television
Newspapers
Radio
Magazines
Internet
Other (VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
88
100
Spring, 2007
87
100
Summer, 2002
78
15
100
Q61 ASK IF 'INTERNET' IN Q60: Do you go to the

major internet news sites, such as Sina or Sohu, or
do you go to other internet sources?
China
Major internet
news sites
Other internet
sources
Both (VOL)
Total
69
16
15
100
148
Spring, 2008 --
Q62 And what is your next most frequent source of news about national and international issues - television, newspapers,
radio, magazines, or the internet? (DO NOT MARK THE SAME RESPONSE AS Q60)
China
Television
Newspapers
Radio
Magazines
Internet
None (VOL)
Other (VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
51
23
100
Spring, 2007
55
13
100
Summer, 2002
16
57
10
100
Q63 ASK IF 'INTERNET' IN Q62: Do you go to the major internet news

sites, such as Sina or Sohu, or do you go to other internet sources?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Major internet
news sites
Other internet
sources
Both (VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
58
21
20
100
250
47
Q64 If you heard about a problem with food or water safety that might affect you or your family, where would you go for more
information television, newspapers, radio, or the internet?
China
Television
Newspapers
Radio
Internet
Government
notice (VOL)
70
13
Spring, 2008 --
Talk with
friends/relativ
es (VOL)
Told by others
(VOL)
DK/Refused
Total
100
Q65 ASK IF 'INTERNET' IN Q64: Would you go to a major internet

news site, such as Sina or Sohu, or would you go to another internet
source?
China
Major internet
news sites
Other internet
sources
Both (VOL)
Other (VOL)
Total
56
23
19
100
253
Spring, 2008 --
Q68 Do you approve or disapprove of the

one-child policy?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Approve
Disapprove
DK/Refused
Total
76
21
100
Q77 Are you living today in the same city

or town or rural area where you were born?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Yes
No
DK/Refused
Total
76
24
100
Q78 ASK IF 'YES' IN Q77: How many years have you lived in
this city or province?
China
Spring, 2008 --
Two years or
less
Three to five
years
Six to 10 years
More than
10 years
Total
13
18
20
50
100
Q86 Do you use the Internet, at least

occasionally?
China
Yes
No
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
38
62
100
Spring, 2007
34
66
100
Q87 Do you send or receive email, at least

occasionally?
China
Yes
No
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
25
75
100
Spring, 2007
24
75
100
Q88 Do you own a computer?

China
Yes
No
DK/Refused
Total
Spring, 2008 --
36
64
100
Spring, 2007
37
63
100
Summer, 2002
28
72
100
48

Pewglobal Survey China Atiitudes

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1615 L Street, N.W.

FOR RELEASE: TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2008, 2:00 PM EDT

The 2008 Pew Global Attitudes Survey in China:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

July 22, 2008

About the Project ..................................................................................................................7

Chinese Views of Their Lives..........................................................................9

National Issues ................................................................................................14

China and the World .......................................................................................19

Modern Life and Values .................................................................................26

Technology Use ..............................................................................................31

Survey Methods ...................................................................................................................37

Copyright 2008 Pew Research Center

The 2008 Pew Global Attitudes Survey in China:

The Chinese Look at Their Lives and Country

Rating their lives

*Based on the 24 countries in the 2008 Pew Global poll.

How Big of a Problem is ...

Almost universally, the Chinese

Chinese Embrace F ree Markets

The social changes in Chinese society that have

Young, Educated, High Income,

China's Global Economic Influence is..

Overwhelmingly, the Chinese think their

Chinas one-child policy is overwhelmingly accepted. Roughly three-in-four (76%)

About the Pew Global Attitudes Project

Pew Global Attitudes Project

Findings from the project are also analyzed in

Pew Global Attitudes Project team members

Roadmap to the Report

1. Chinese Views of Their Lives

Are You Satisfied with Your...

Questions 3a through 3c.

Trends in these areas of personal satisfaction

Are You Satisfied with Your

Satisfaction with household income has

A similar positive relationship is seen

Wealth, Education Related to Satisfaction

% very or somewhat satisfied

*Based on those who are employed.

Affordability of Health Care, Savings a Problem

How Easy or Difficult is it for

Questions 7a through 7f.

Young people ages 1829 are slightly less likely to

Some Struggle to Afford Necessities

Questions 7a through 7f.

The Chinese also are the

Both of these measures register

Questions 8a through 8q.

Still, concerns about inflation, the gap between rich

Economic Concerns Common

% very big problem

Questions 8a, 8e and 8h.

Concerns About Corruption, the Environment

Rating the Governments Job

Question text: How would you rate the

performance than those in cities (68%) or rural areas

Most Support One-Child Policy

Strong Support for One-Child Policy

Question text: Do you approve or