accounting for 23.3 %, and those who had a“very optimistic”attitude, accounting
for only 7.2 %. As shown by these data, theélites’views about the prospects for
China-EU relations obviously tended to be conservative. Compared with the data
from the 2007 survey from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, those who
were“very optimistic”dramatically decreased, while those who were“cautiously
optimistic”and“neutral”significantly increased (see Table10.14).
10.8.1 Analysis of the Characteristics of Chinese
Perceptions of the EU
Three surveys conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences are somewhat
problematic regarding sample selection and the stability of the questions involved
in the surveys; the EU’s 7th Framework Programme and Pew Project also show
differences in survey sampling, thus this survey report only provides a preliminary,
exploratory analysis. However, some characteristics can still be found through
comparisons from different perspectives.
First, the Chineseélites and common people were relatively optimistic and
positive about the EU on most of the issues, the proportion of whom was higher
than that of those who were negative and pessimistic.
Second, the degree of the Chinese common people’s favorability towards the EU
increased before 2010, but afterwards it decreased somewhat, it declined noticeably
especially in the last two years. When it comes to the positioning of China-EU
relations, the common people in very small numbers recognized the two sides as
“friends”, whereas they tended to consider the EU more as a neutral“partner”and a
“stakeholder”.
Third, the common people made a relatively positive evaluation of the EU’s
international influence until 2010; they believed that the EU’s international political
and economic influences were lower than those of the USA, but higher than those
of China and Russia. However, actually the common people’s evaluation of the
EU’s international influence became increasingly negative.
Fourth, the common people were generally positive about the current situation
and prospects for bilateral relations, but a change in the trend shows that the
common people’s views tended to be conservative, especially concerning the
prospects for China-EU relations, while a cautious attitude became obvious.
Table 10.14 Theélites’views on the prospects for China-EU relations (Unit%)
2007 2010 2007 2010
Very optimistic 26.2 7.2 Cautiously Pessimistic 1.5 0.9
Cautiously optimistic 56.4 66.8 Very pessimistic 0.2 0.3
Neutral 9.9 23.3 Unknown 5.3 1.5
NoteCompared with the data in the 2007 survey from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
SourceBased on data from the EU’s 7th Framework Programme in 2010
10 The Chinese Perception of the EU 197