A survey report released by the Japanese government shows that the majority of Americans consider China to be the United States' most important partner in Asia.
The survey indicates that among American officials and business professionals, the largest group—56%—identified China as the "most important partner for the U.S. in Asia," compared to 36% for Japan. In a similar survey conducted last year, the figures for Japan and China were 44% and 42% respectively, marking the first time China has surpassed Japan since 1985.
Among the general American public, 44% also selected China, tying the percentage with Japan.
With China's GDP expected to surpass Japan's within this year, the survey results demonstrate that China's influence in American society is growing. The reasons cited by the majority for choosing China include "the close economic ties between the U.S. and China, China's vast territory, and its large population size."
Since 1960, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conducted public opinion polls in the United States regarding national influence almost every year. This year, organizers surveyed 1,200 Americans aged 18 and older via telephone interviews.
