---
title: "5 key takeaways on global views of the U.S. and China"
description: "A new Pew Research Center survey finds widespread opposition around the world to U.S. eavesdropping. Still, America’s overall image remains mostly positive. Here are five key takeaways."
date: "2014-07-14"
authors:
  - name: "Richard Wike"
    job_title: "Director, Global Attitudes Research"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/richard-wike/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2014/07/14/5-key-takeaways-on-global-views-of-the-u-s-and-china/"
categories:
  - "Defense & National Security"
  - "Economic Policy"
  - "Global Balance of Power"
  - "Global Economy & Trade"
  - "Global Trade"
  - "U.S. Global Image"
---

# 5 key takeaways on global views of the U.S. and China

As [new revelations](http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-nsa-intercepted-data-those-not-targeted-far-outnumber-the-foreigners-who-are/2014/07/05/8139adf8-045a-11e4-8572-4b1b969b6322_story.html) about America’s electronic surveillance efforts continue to emerge, a new [Pew Research Center survey](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2014/07/14/global-opposition-to-u-s-surveillance-and-drones-but-limited-harm-to-americas-image/) finds widespread opposition around the world to U.S. eavesdropping. Still, America’s overall image remains mostly positive. At the same time, however, people see the global balance of power shifting, with China on the rise, and the U.S. in relative decline.

Here are five key takeaways on how the world views the U.S., China, and the superpower competition between the two major rivals.

[![In nearly all 43 countries surveyed outside the U.S., majorities say the U.S. shouldn’t intercept communications from foreign leaders or foreign citizens.](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2014/07/FT_14.07.14_NSA.png)](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2014/07/14/nsa-opinion/)

[tweetable]

[![In nearly all of the 43 countries surveyed outside the U.S., majorities say the U.S. shouldn’t intercept communications from foreign leaders or foreign citizens.](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2014/07/five-drones.png)](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/database/indicator/52/)

[tweetable]

[tweetable]

[![World Sees China as Eventual Top Power](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2014/07/FT_US.China_.Top_.Power_.png)](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/database/indicator/33/)

[tweetable]

[tweetable]

### *See also:*

[![The Global Indicators Database lets you explore public opinion in countries around the world.](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2014/07/inidcator-e1405350642430.png)](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/database/)

Our [Global Indicators Database](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/database/) lets you explore public opinion in countries around the world on a range of issues and attitudes.

[![This interactive shows opinion in countries around the world about U.S. surveillance programs.](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2014/07/NSA-Interactive-e1405350668410.jpg)](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2014/07/14/nsa-opinion/)

Our new interactive shows [global opinion on U.S. electronic surveillance](https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2014/07/14/nsa-opinion/) programs.