Global Times: Why is China's global favorability steadily rising?

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BEIJING, June 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "Recently, surveys by Ipsos, a global market research and consulting firm, Morning Consult, a global decision intelligence company, and other international polling organizations have shown that China's global reputation, positive influence and favorability continue to rise. Why do people in more and more countries think China is very 'cool'"? asked a reader of People's Daily Online.

These poll results are highly consistent with the intuitive feelings of the international community.

For some time, foreign tourists have shown an increasing interest in traveling to China. Chinese films and TV series have become more popular, and foreign institutions have demonstrated a preference for Chinese assets. Some foreign media outlets have pointed out that China's international image is undergoing a transformation from "mysterious" to "charming," and China is becoming increasingly "cool."

"China was a mystery before I came [here], and I became a fan of China after my tour" - the number of countries eligible for the unilateral visa-free policy to China has expanded to 47, while the number of countries eligible for the 240-hour transit visa-free policy has expanded to 55. A series of spontaneous trips to China have made countless foreign tourists active advocates of Chinese cultural dissemination. These real and close cultural contacts have broken through the information cocoons and achieved spiritual and emotional resonance.

From "Mysterious East" to "Cool China," China's global favorability has steadily increased. This is not only because China has played a stabilizing and constructive role in a turbulent world, but also because of the charm brought by China's own development and progress.

The increase in favorability is attributed to stability and progress.

In the face of uncertainties caused by the rise of protectionism, China has been persistent in "doing the right thing." The country has unswervingly promoted high-quality development and has been resolute in expanding high-level opening-up.

In the first quarter, China's GDP grew 5.4 percent year-on-year. In the first five months, China's foreign trade grew 2.5 percent year-on-year. The country's economy has risen to the challenge and continues to be an important engine of the world economy. The world has felt the consistent "rhythm of China," which does not change its course due to external noise, nor does it disrupt its pace due to short-term fluctuations. It is full of strategic determination and appears calm and confident.

So far, China has inked 23 free trade agreements (FTAs) with 30 countries and regions. It has expanded the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China. The country's circle of friends under the Belt and Road Initiative continues to expand… The world sees the expanding "China opportunity": Apart from having an inclusive mind-set, China has also taken measures for opening-up. The Chinese modernization continues to empower global development.

The increase in favorability is due to commitment to responsibility and accountability.

Faced with the turmoil and anxiety caused by the rise of unilateralism, China adheres to the right way of peace, development and win-win cooperation.

If we compare the two recent summits: While the G7 summit was still attempting to build "small yards with high fences" and stoking antagonism, more than 100 cooperation outcomes were achieved at the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. China and Central Asian countries have worked together to promote high-quality regional development, strive for common modernization, firmly defend multilateralism, and maintain international fairness and justice.

In the face of unilateral bullying by certain countries, China firmly advances the three initiatives - the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative - to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

"China has been a rational, strong and reliable partner," affirmed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, saying that China's global initiatives offer renewed hope at a time when multilateralism is under tremendous strain.

The increase in favorability is attributed to innovation and a spirit of striving.

"This is a very dynamic and innovative society," wrote Stephen Davies, a journalist with The Telegraph, a British daily newspaper, after a month of traveling around China. China insists on innovation-driven development, accelerates the fostering of new quality productive forces, and impresses the world with its scientific and technological innovation.

China, a country committed to innovation, has shown strong resilience, allowing the whole world to feel its spirit of striving to win. It showcases a character that is unafraid of challenges and seeks new solutions while embodying the determination to remain composed and continue working steadily. This spirit has won over more and more respect and acknowledgement. By insisting on opening-up and cooperation, China shares its fruitful results of innovation and pursues dreams that are as deep as the seas and as bright as the stars with other countries. Such a China naturally attracts partners to join it on its journey.

The increase in favorability is due to rich cultural heritage and affinity.

The trendy toy "labubu," which has recently gone global, along with characters known to fans worldwide, such as Ne Zha and Wukong, are icons that incorporate modern creativity and technological interfaces. They represent an oriental trend on the global landscape, telling wonderful stories of cross-cultural exchanges.

Center the great image, and the world will come to you.

With China's rising favorability in the world, we can observe positive interaction between China and the global community, the resonance of China's ideas, the wonderful charm of Chinese civilization and the increasingly broad Chinese path to modernization.

After all, the "zero-sum game" mentality has become a shackle on global development, while the concept and practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind have opened up new paths for the world, injecting impetus for lasting development and exuding the charm of profound thoughts and vivid practices.