Survey: China, US should increase trust, understanding

A public perception survey showed that the people of both China and United States should increase mutual trust and understanding to promote bilateral relations.

The study revealed that 63 percent of US respondents believe China is an important cooperation partner of the US and both sides benefit from the growing bilateral trade and investment.

The survey, conducted by Committee of 100, a non-governmental organization aimed at promoting constructive dialogue and relationships between the people and leaders of both nations, was undertaken earlier this year, providing an important reference for policy formulation and academic research in China-US relations.

Released at an award ceremony on Saturday, the survey showed that 57 percent respondents have a favorable impression of China, the highest since 2007. Nearly 70 percent think China should be encouraged to invest in the US.

However, the survey also revealed that there is lacks of trust, and miscommunication affected the US understanding of China.

The survey also indicated that millennials between the age of 18 and 34 are more optimistic about the relationship, and more trusting of the other country.

The meeting between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump was successful in stabilizing the ties, but the relations still face a lot of challenges, said Jia Qingguo, professor and dean at Peking University's School of International Studies.

"Tough voices and negative views on China still exist, and the two countries need to manage their difference," he added.

Terry Branstad, US ambassador to China, said that "the two big economies can work out their differences and work together to our mutual benefit in a win-win situation".

Chinese-Americans can help to improve relationship between the people of the two countries, he added.

Tan Tianxing, vice-minister of Overseas Chinese Affairs Offices, said that it is the mission of overseas Chinese to promote the Chinese dream to the world and build the community of shared future for mankind.

He hoped that the committee of 100 could make full use of its resources in the US and its expertise as well as influence to promote people-to-people exchange and cooperation between China and the US.

Chairman of the Committee of 100 Frank H. Wu said that as Chinese-Americans are closely related with the culture of the two countries, they can help to promote mutual understanding between the people from both sides.

"We Chinese-Americans care about the relation between these two great nations, with language and cultural skills we have, we could do something different," he said.