Perceptions of China were improving in Sweden and elsewhere in Europe, as visa facilitation measures allowed more Europeans to experience the country directly and gain a better understanding of its development, cultural heritage and modernization.
HELSINKI, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's commitment to peaceful development, openness and practical international cooperation has contributed to improving perceptions of the country worldwide, according to Hussein Askary, vice chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden.
A report released by the Pew Research Center in July found that views of China had improved in recent years while opinions of the United States had worsened. China was viewed more favorably than the United States in most of the 36 countries surveyed.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Askary attributed the shift partly to China's more rational and predictable approach to international affairs, as well as its support for globalization and development cooperation.
"China has been building bridges, while the United States has been building walls," he said, contrasting China's support for globalization and free trade with U.S. protectionist tariff policies.
As an example, Askary cited China's decision to extend zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China starting May 1, saying the move would help expand economic opportunities for developing countries.
He also pointed to the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, saying they had contributed to more positive perceptions of China by promoting development, advocating dialogue in resolving disputes and encouraging exchanges among civilizations.
Drawing on his long-term research on West Asia and Africa, he identified poverty, inadequate infrastructure and weak regional connectivity as underlying causes of conflict and instability.
China's cooperation with the two regions -- including infrastructure projects, technology transfer, vocational training and educational exchanges -- demonstrated how development could help create the conditions for lasting peace, he explained.
On security, Askary highlighted the Beijing Declaration signed by 14 Palestinian factions in July 2024, describing it as a concrete example of China's efforts to promote Palestinian reconciliation and resolve differences through dialogue.
The Global Civilization Initiative, meanwhile, had renewed attention to dialogue among civilizations at a time when wars and the politicization of ethnic and religious differences had deepened divisions among peoples, he added.
Askary said perceptions of China were also improving in Sweden and elsewhere in Europe, as visa facilitation measures allowed more Europeans to experience the country directly and gain a better understanding of its development, cultural heritage and modernization.
"This type of experience is contagious," he said, adding that greater exposure to China encouraged people to learn more about the country and form their own views rather than rely on negative media portrayals shaped by ideological stereotypes.
Askary urged European institutions and individuals to approach China with greater openness, recognize it as "different but equal," and regard it as a potential partner rather than a competitor or rival.
He also called for broader China-Europe cooperation in education, culture, infrastructure and sustainable development, arguing that stronger exchanges would deepen mutual understanding and create new opportunities for both sides. ■
