Beijing, China Nov 21, 2025 – By ZHANG YUNBI
A recent survey reveals that young people globally, belonging to Generation Z, view China and the United States as “the two most influential nations” in both international relations and forthcoming global economic output. A significant number of these young individuals also anticipate that these two countries will collaborate to drive future advancements in science and technology.
The “Global Youth Survey Research Report,” titled “The World Through the Eyes of Gen Z,” was jointly published on Friday by China Daily’s Generation Z Research Center, the Social Media Research Institute, and Xi’an Jiaotong University’s School of Journalism and New Media.
Conducted in July and August, the report gathered data from 12,400 young individuals across 31 countries spanning Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Oceania.
Within each of the nations surveyed, including Japan, France, Canada, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and Australia, 400 participants responded to inquiries concerning their perspectives on international matters, the comparative sway of different countries, and their personal impressions of and engagement with China.
According to experts, the report serves to illustrate how members of Gen Z—individuals born between 1995 and 2009—are likely to react to various nations’ roles in global governance and how their outlook will influence upcoming international relations, cultural exchanges, and economic expansion.
The report states that “Gen Z perceives the influence of countries/country groupings in international affairs in the following order: the US, China, Russia, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan.”
Almost half (49.07 percent) of those surveyed indicated their belief that China, trailed by the US (29.27 percent), will serve as the principal engine of the world economy for the next ten years.
The report noted that Gen Z has observed China’s ascent to become the world’s second-largest economy and its groundbreaking advancements in technological areas like 5G, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce, which explains “why they possess considerable faith in China’s forthcoming economic progress.”
It further indicated that the economic leverage of established developed nations and economies, including the EU, Japan, and the UK, “has markedly diminished in the perception of Gen Z.”
When asked about anticipated leaders in particular technological domains, the nine sectors explored included new energy, aerospace, quantum computing, AI, high-speed rail, humanoid robotics, 6G communications, electric vehicles, and biopharmaceuticals. The five leading economies identified across these fields were China, the EU, Japan, the UK, and the US.
Participants anticipate China will lead in applied technologies across eight of these sectors, such as new energy, AI, 6G, and EVs, whereas the US is expected to retain its dominance in aerospace.
The survey revealed that Japan ranked second in high-precision manufacturing categories—specifically high-speed rail and humanoid robotics—while the EU and UK are perceived to have a more diminished technological influence going forward.
Li Shu, who serves as the dean of the School of Information and Communication at Communication University of China in Beijing, remarked that Gen Z has matured alongside the internet’s growth, thus becoming the inaugural “digital native” generation and “a generation that excels in self-expression.”
She added, “The internet’s inherent openness and decentralized structure have cultivated Gen Z’s inclination toward active expression and inclusiveness.”
For a better world
Regarding their opinions on the comparative national power and foreign policies of China and the US, the surveyed Gen Z youth “generally consider China and the US to be equally strong nationally, with each possessing distinct advantages in particular areas.”
Among the crucial selection criteria, China garnered greater acknowledgment for its relative prowess in “economic development,” “historical and cultural heritage,” and “scientific and technological innovation,” whereas the US upholds its established strengths in “foreign policy” and “global affairs.”
Nevertheless, neither nation significantly surpasses the other in the majority of surveyed domains, a fact that the report suggests “demonstrates the balanced viewpoint of the younger generation within a multipolar global framework.”
When queried about their opinions on the impact of both countries’ foreign policies on global peace and stability, China received more favorable ratings—48.12 percent approval compared to 37.61 percent for the US.
Another poll conducted earlier this year by researchers at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, focusing on US Gen Z’s views on their nation’s foreign policy, revealed that “While the emerging generation largely supports international cooperation, most favor a more restrained US involvement globally, including its relations with China, Israel, and Ukraine.”
Wang Dong, a professor and executive director at Peking University’s Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding, a dedicated proponent and participant in China-US student exchanges, observed that “younger Americans generally hold more favorable perceptions of China” compared to older generations.
He stated, “They possess an objective comprehension of China’s power and show greater willingness to participate in China-US exchanges, all while upholding a relatively objective, extensive, and impartial view of bilateral ties.”
He further predicted, “Should this generation become the dominant voting bloc and eventually take on official roles responsible for China policy, Sino-US relations could experience favorable shifts.”
Concerning China’s global interactions, the survey indicates that “tourist destinations” are the most compelling China-related factor for Gen Z youth internationally.
The report noted, “In contrast to conventional cultural symbols like literature and art, China demonstrates a stronger allure for global youth through its modern pop culture offerings, including film, television, games, and applications.”
While aspirations for personal growth, such as employment, education, and academic exchanges, also constitute a substantial part of motivating factors, tourism remains the primary impetus for Gen Z worldwide to visit China.
The report highlighted that highly educated young individuals, in particular, exhibit more varied reasons for traveling to China, perceiving it as a crucial hub for advancement and interaction.
The report also stated that “almost half of Gen Z are informed about China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy,” and “over 50% of the surveyed Gen Z intend to visit China or inquire about this policy.”
Dong Guanpeng, vice-chairman of the China Public Relations Association, asserted that Chinese citizens, particularly those within Gen Z, must excel as storytellers to facilitate a clearer global understanding of China.
Dong stated, “Our communications should be grounded in facts, convey genuine sentiments, and disseminate the value of jointly forging a community with a shared future for humanity.”
Media Contact
ZHANG YUNBI
Source :Chinadaily
