China trails U.S. in "soft power" in Asia: study
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Despite a surging economy and growing geopolitical clout, China ranks far below the United States in the opinion of Asian countries, a survey showed on Tuesday.
The poll measuring perceptions of soft power -- the non-military ways a country exerts influence -- in the United States and five Asian countries also found what researchers called a "worrisome disconnect" between U.S. and Chinese citizens' views of each other.
"In terms of soft power in Asia -- the ability to wield influence by indirect, non-military means, whether by persuasion or attraction -- China ranks well below the United States in the estimation of most of the Asians surveyed," said the poll, conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the East Asia Institute.
The survey included 6,000 interviews in China, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and the United States in January and February. It touched on opinions in areas including popular culture, commercial prowess and brands, intellectual influence, universities, diplomatic reputations and political systems.
The U.S. ranks at the top of overall soft power rankings by poll respondents in China, Japan and South Korea and is a close second in Indonesia and Vietnam. China was considered more influential by Southeast Asians than by Northeast Asians.
"China is lagging behind on a wide variety of fronts," said report co-author Christopher Whitney, utive director for studies at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Respondents in every country except Indonesia ranked the United States higher in terms of political, cultural, diplomatic and economic soft power. In many areas, China was also eclipsed by Japan and South Korea, the survey showed.
China received deep respect for its ancient culture, which has strongly influenced many neighbors, but suffered in the rankings from an "overall sense of unease" about China's political system and its rising geopolitical clout, Whitney said.
Paul Eckert, Asia Correspondent