US, China distrust each other, but mildly: Survey

However, few among the public or elite see the other power as an enemy

Chinese and Americans widely distrust each other but few among the public or elite see the other power as an enemy, a survey said.

The study, billed as one of the most comprehensive looks at the views of influential Chinese, found that the Asian power's elite mostly described their opinions about the United States as mild, despite the frequent disagreements between the world's two largest economies.

"The elite and public findings really don't confirm the perceptions in many quarters about what Chinese popular opinion is towards the United States," said lead author Michael Swaine of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which will release the survey tomorrow.

"It doesn't confirm the views of netizens in China that are generally very hawkish and rather, at times, bombastic about what China should do vis-a-vis the US," he said.

The survey found that strong majorities in both countries, especially in China, doubted that the other power could be highly trusted. Most Americans and Chinese elites, as well as 45 percent of the Chinese public, characterized the other nation as a competitor.

But only 15% of the US public and 12% of the Chinese public saw the other nation as an enemy, the study said.

"There is a high level of distrust among the elites and the publics of both countries towards the other. However, on the other hand, there is a strong recognition of the need for the two countries to improve their relationship and to cooperate more deeply," Swaine said.

But in one sharp disparity, 27% of Chinese government elites said they considered the United States an enemy -- while a mere 2% of US government elites said likewise about China.

Swaine played down the gap, saying that it may be due to problems in methodology as the survey looked disproportionately at provincial Chinese officials with less exposure to foreign affairs.

The study surveyed in China 2,597 members of the public and 358 elites between May and July 2012. The US portion was conducted from March to May 2012 and polled 1,004 adults as well as 305 elites -- who included government officials, retired military officers, business leaders, academics and journalists.