China

The latest analysis, events, research, and commentary on the country of China.
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Chinese Public Values Global Leadership More than Americans Do
People walk past a Chinese flag in a commercial area in Beijing People walk past a Chinese flag in a commercial area in Beijing People walk past a Chinese flag in a commercial area in Beijing People walk past a Chinese flag in a commercial area in Beijing Public Opinion
Aaron Favila / AP
Unique parallel surveys find both publics agree trade and international engagement benefit their countries, but to different degrees.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) stands among other global leaders at Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, on August 31, 2025. Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) stands among other global leaders at Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, on August 31, 2025. Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) stands among other global leaders at Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, on August 31, 2025. Chinese President Xi Jinping (center) stands among other global leaders at Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, on August 31, 2025. Global Politics
Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
Inside China's Global Ambitions
Podcast Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

Research

Wooden dolls depicting China's President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump US Foreign Policy
Dmitri Lovetsky / AP
Americans Reverse Course on US-China Competition
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Craig Kafura

While Republicans remain focused on limiting China's rise, a majority of Americans now favor a policy of cooperation and engagement with Beijing.

Ore is hauled from the Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Copper Mine in Utah US Foreign Policy
Rick Bowmer / AP
Critical Minerals, Rare Earth Elements, and the Challenges Ahead for the United States
RESEARCH Report by Karl Friedhoff

Washington is already behind in the race to secure critical minerals and rare earth elements. This report presents a path forward.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinpin shake hands at the Kremlin Public Opinion
Pavel Bednyakov / AP
Friends with Benefits: Chinese See Russia and North Korea as Beijing's Closest Comrades
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey

Other neighboring countries, including Japan, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam, are viewed less favorably.

An American flag is flown next to the Chinese national emblem and flags Public Opinion
Andy Wong / AP
Chinese Public Wants a Balanced Approach to the United States
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey

Few see the United States as a friend to China, but a majority want Beijing to use a mix of cooperation and containment in its approach to Washington.

Events

PAST EVENT VIDEO
The US and China: Competition, Coexistence, or Collision?
Leslie Vinjamuri, Rana Mitter, John Mearsheimer on the Council stage Leslie Vinjamuri, Rana Mitter, John Mearsheimer on the Council stage
Ana Miyares Photography
Play the video
John Mearsheimer, Rana Mitter, and Leslie Vinjamuri discuss great power competition, strategic rivalry, and the evolving US-China relationship.
Speakers seated on the Council's stage Speakers seated on the Council's stage Speakers seated on the Council's stage Speakers seated on the Council's stage
Ana Miyares Photography
The Trade Triangle: China, India, and America's Economic Future
PAST EVENT VIDEO
Leslie Vinjamuri, Yawei Liu, Dina Smeltz, Paul Heer on the Council stage Leslie Vinjamuri, Yawei Liu, Dina Smeltz, Paul Heer on the Council stage Leslie Vinjamuri, Yawei Liu, Dina Smeltz, Paul Heer on the Council stage Leslie Vinjamuri, Yawei Liu, Dina Smeltz, Paul Heer on the Council stage
Ana Miyares Photography
China and the World: How Citizens View Their Country's Global Future
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Commentary & Analysis

People use smartphones to film planes fly in formation during a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing Public Opinion
Rafiq Maqbool / AP
Chinese Public Is Divided over Whether to Seek Global Dominance or Share Leadership
In the News NPR by Dina Smeltz

"We do see a high degree of confidence in China, in the Chinese public, in their country, and the direction that the government is taking their country," Dina Smeltz explains, citing new Council-Carter Center data.

Two miniature American flags rest in front of a larger group of Chinese flags. Global Politics
Andy Wong / AP
Why Beating China Might Be the US' Wrong Focus
Podcast Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

Is every move against China strengthening the US—or is it just making us weaker? Jessica Chen Weiss breaks it down.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrive at a military parade Public Opinion
Sergei Bobylev / Sputnik via AP
Nuanced and Skeptical: How Do Chinese View US Rivalry and Russian, North Korean Allies?
In the News South China Morning Post

“There was a lot more subtlety in the data with a plurality, 48 percent, saying that China’s interested in a shared leadership role,” Paul Heer said of the new Council-Carter Center survey.