A survey conducted this year covering the U.S., Europe, Africa and other regions shows that the world's view of China continues to be more favorable, with people in most countries regarding Beijing as an important and trustworthy partner. As more people around the world engage with China, they gain a deeper understanding of the country and its achievements.

Observing and learning in China

Michael Mbewe, a journalist at Channel Africa International of South African Broadcasting Corporation who recently took part in a media study tour in China, said, "The global positive perception of China is constantly increasing. This is not only the result of diplomatic and economic cooperation, but also stems from the tangible development achievements and opportunities that people have witnessed firsthand."

Transforming development into improvements in people's livelihoods will earn a more lasting sense of appreciation. "This is one of the most crucial insights I have gained from observing China's development on the ground," he added.

Nikolay A. Samoylov, a prominent Russian historian and sinologist who visited China several times during the past four decades, believes that the growing favorable view of China is primarily due to "China's rapid development, which has made it the most stable, predictable and reliable economic partner in the world, and the international community has a high level of trust in China."

This year, Samoylov witnessed the unmanned technology in China, inspected modern agriculture and the wine industry, and also saw the green transformation of industrial centers. "China not only has high technology but also is an open and secure country. This image has significantly enhanced the global perception towards China," he said.

Christine Holgate, group executive chair of Team Global Express (TGE), an Australian logistics company, who has just returned from a visit to China, describes herself as a "super fan of China." She said China's green transformation benefits the world and provides "a real showcase model of it working" for the globe. TGE once visited two major transportation companies in China to learn about optimizing space and routes through AI, ultimately reducing its air transportation carbon emissions by 32 percent. Holgate said Western markets have much to learn from China. Foreign observers need to visit the country to listen, observe, and learn firsthand.

Improvement and prosperity

The cliff road in the West Region of Cameroon has steep slopes and sharp turns, and is prone to landslides during the rainy season. After observing the complex terrain, Chinese enterprises optimized the route, reduced the curvature, and added advanced drainage facilities, making the road significantly safer.  After more than a year of arduous construction, the brand-new road was opened to traffic in July.

Charles Romain Mbele, a renowned Cameroonian philosopher, said in recent years, the roads, bridges and ports constructed by Chinese enterprises in Cameroon have transformed the country's landscape and promoted local development and regional connectivity. "The popularity of China among African people has been continuously increasing, because they truly feel that China brings development and prosperity."

Hussein Askary, the Iraqi-Swedish vice-chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, said, "The global public's perception of China has become increasingly positive, and the same is true for the people in Sweden and other European countries."

He said this is because China has always treated its partners with sincerity and kindness, focusing on infrastructure construction, talent cultivation and the enhancement of industrial capabilities, helping enhance their development capabilities. It also provides more options for Global South countries to explore development paths that suit their own national conditions.

Charles Okechukwu Onunaiju, director of the Centre for China Studies in Nigeria, said, "Chinese medical personnel are treating patients in African communities. Chinese peacekeeping forces are stationed in Africa. China is providing humanitarian assistance to Africa. The African people have witnessed this with their own eyes and have benefited from it. When Africa needed help, China was truly present and trust was thus established."

Onunaiju pointed out that in today's world, where chaos and turmoil are intertwined, China has always supported resolving international disputes through dialogue, supported Global South countries having a greater right to speak in international affairs, and has always been consistent in its words and actions. "More and more countries believe that China is a trustworthy partner. The continuous improvement of China's global popularity is not accidental; it is an objective conclusion drawn by more and more people after long-term observation," Onunaiju said.