Sun noted that heightened concerns about the US compared to China among people in middle-income nations can likely be traced to their respective development realities. “These countries rely heavily on affordable, quality goods to advance economic growth and living standards — a demand China is well-positioned to meet, fostering deeper ties between these economies and Chinese goods and markets,” he said.

　　Specifically, the Pew survey found that across Latin America, views of China are now slightly more positive than views of the US, due largely to worsening views of the US, and that people are much more likely to say the US interferes in the affairs of other countries than they are to say the same of China.

　　Sun noted that repeated US intervention in regional affairs appears to have eroded its standing there. China, meanwhile, has stuck to a consistent framework for cooperation with Latin American nations, which has yielded a host of positive outcomes. “Steady, predictable cooperation with China seems to bring real improvements to livelihoods and local development across Latin America, which likely contributes to residents there viewing China more positively than the US,” he said.