The Chicago Council on Global Affairs released the findings of its 2006 Public Opinion Study on Wednesday, October 11, 2006. The study, which the Council conducts biennially, was conducted in partnership with the Asia Society. In addition to polling in the United States, the study included nationally representative polls of China and India. Parallel surveys were also conducted in South Korea in conjunction with the East Asia Institute and in Australia in conjunction with the Lowy Institute for International Policy.  

The study presents a unique comparison of international attitudes on how the emergence of China and India as economic dynamos and claimants to great power status will affect the global economy, international security, and politics.  It assesses American public opinion on a variety of challenges facing the United States today, including international terrorism, nuclear proliferation, conflict in the Middle East, the rising economic and political power of Asia, economic competition from abroad, and threats to energy supplies and the environment.  The study also provides an understanding of how the Chinese and Indian publics view their nations’ international challenges and opportunities and their respective roles as emerging great powers.

The study found that despite ongoing concern over the war in Iraq and the threat of terrorism, Americans continue to support U.S. international engagement. Other key survey findings include:

• Americans are fairly comfortable with the rise of China though they believe China is on the way to catching up with the U.S. economically;
• Americans favor a friendly approach to China rather than an effort to prevent it from growing in wealth and power; and,
• Asians, including Indians, South Koreans, and Australians, are also quite comfortable with the rise of China. However, these countries and the Chinese still want the U.S. to remain engaged in Asia though they express low trust in the U.S. to act responsibly. 

Download the full report and press release:

Full Report (PDF)
2006 Comparative Topline (PDF)
Press Release
U.S. Topline (PDF)
India Topline (PDF)
China Topline (PDF)