The Germans Have a Positive Image of China

GÜTERSLOH, Germany, November 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

More a partner than a competitor in politics and economics

The German people have a predominantly positive image of China and see its economic rise more as an opportunity than as a threat. In response to the increasing international competition, Germany should work more closely with Asian countries and China together and insist less on the enforcement of national interests. This is the result of a recent representative survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation, the most influential political think tank in Germany.

According to their assessment, the majority of Germans see the development in Asia and in China as positive for Germany. Every second person interviewed believes that the economic rise of Asia is sooner an opportunity for Germany. 39 percent consider it more as a threat. But even greater is the confidence that Germany will "master" the associated political and economic challenges. Four out of five Germans are optimistic in this case. Only 15 percent fear that the Asian challenge will be "unmanageable" for Germany.

Within the major Asian countries, however, the Germans also make clear distinctions. Accordingly, from the perspective of the Germans in Asia, China is clearly the number one, ahead of Japan and India. This applies to China's role as a market and as an economic competitor, but also to its perception as a political partner. 62 percent of Germans believe the importance of China as a political partner for Germany is "very high" or "relatively high". Japan and India only come to 59 percent and 35 percent. Also as the saviour of the indebted euro zone countries, China enjoys the greatest confidence.

As a political response to the developments in Asia, the Germans recommend cooperation rather than confrontation. A majority of 41 percent sees the current policy of Germany to be correct and wants to keep it that way, 37 percent of respondents support a closer cooperation. Only 18 percent demand that Germany must be stricter toward Asia with regard to its interests and, as such, follow the example of the United States.

More information on the Web at:

http://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/cps/rde/xchg/SID-78E3E1B8-3407FF03/bst_engl/hs.xsl/index.html

Contact:

Cora Francisca Jungbluth
Project Manager Germany and Asia
Telephone: +49-5241-81-81482
E-Mail: cora.jungbluth@bertelsmann-stiftung.de