Survey: Large Difference in Asian American Opinions of United States, China

Survey: Large Difference in Asian American Opinions of United States, China

A new public opinion study found that 78 percent of Asian Americans have a favorable opinion of the United States. Only 20 percent of those questioned had a favorable view of China.

The Pew Research Center released results of its survey on Wednesday. It questioned more than 7,000 Asian American adults. Pew researchers asked them about their opinions of the United States, their ancestral homeland and other Asian countries.

The participants were from seven origin groups. They had ties to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, India or China. Some were born in the United States, while others immigrated to the U.S.

Overall, the majority of participants in each origin group had a favorable view of their homeland. Over 90 percent of Japanese Americans and Taiwanese Americans answered they had a favorable view of their homeland. A lower majority of Vietnamese Americans – 59 percent -- said they had a favorable view of Vietnam.

Chinese Americans answered less favorably. Only 41 percent of Chinese Americans said they had a very favorable or somewhat favorable view of China.

Among Asian Americans with ties to other Asian countries, only 14 percent said they had a favorable view of China. By comparison, 67 percent of other Asian Americans said they had a favorable view of Japan. The next-highest was South Korea, with 60 percent.

FILE - Members of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles drive with signs reading "#Stop Asian Hate," in a caravan around Koreatown, March 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Pew also asked participants if they would consider moving back to their ancestral homeland. Overall, 26 percent of Asian Americans said they would move back if they had the chance. Three-quarters said they would not consider moving.

Pew found that Indian Americans were the most open to moving to their homeland. Thirty-three percent answered that they would consider moving to India. Among Indian Americans who said they would consider moving, 52 percent said their reason would be to live closer to family.

Only 16 percent of Chinese Americans said they would consider moving to China.

Researchers also asked participants to predict which country would be the world’s top economic power in the next 10 years. A small majority, 53 percent, chose the United States. Thirty-six percent chose China. Participants with Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Korean ties were the most hopeful in America’s future.

I’m Gregory Stachel.

Gregory Stachel adapted this story based on reporting from Voice of America.

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Words in This Story

favorable – adj. showing approval

view – n. an opinion or way of thinking about something

participant – n. a person who is involved in an activity or event

origin – n. the place, social situation, or type of family that a person comes from

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