The Interpreter, a weblog of the Lowy Institute for International Policy, reports that a recent 2008 Lowy Poll received mixed reviews on how Australians interpret China’s growth.
The study found that 52 percent of Australians felt relations with China were improving, and 62 percent indicated that China’s growth has benefited Australians. Another 86 percent said they thought China would become the dominant power in Asia; however, 59 percent said they were “either somewhat uncomfortable or very uncomfortable about this.”
A similar question, asked in the Asia Soft Power Survey 2008, conducted by the Chicago Council of Global Affairs found that the United States, Japan and South Korea also felt “somewhat or very uncomfortable with the idea of China one day becoming the leader in Asia” with 71 percent, 89 percent, and 77 percent reporting respectively.
The survey also found that trust in China decreased from 60 percent in 2006 to 47 percent in 2008.
