Amidst a backdrop of persistent global uncertainties, China is increasingly being perceived as a reliable international partner capable of delivering concrete benefits and fostering stability. This shift in perception is substantiated by a series of influential international surveys and expert analyses conducted throughout early 2026.
The European Council on Foreign Relations’ January global opinion poll revealed growing anticipation for China’s expanding global influence over the coming decade, with many respondents now classifying Beijing as either an ‘ally’ or necessary partner. This sentiment finds reinforcement across multiple reputable institutions including Pew Research Center, Gallup, and Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, all documenting a consistent upward trajectory in trust toward China in recent years.
Brand Finance’s Global Soft Power Index 2026 positioned China as the sole nation within the top ten to enhance its soft power rating this year. The report emphasized China’s combination of domestic advancement with structured global engagement, resulting in perceptions of predictability, reliability, and tangible benefit delivery.
Experts contend that China’s credibility surge stems not from temporary geopolitical fluctuations but from sustained capacity building. Key factors include enhanced manufacturing capabilities, provision of international public goods through initiatives like the Belt and Road, and steadfast support for multilateralism and the UN-centered international framework.
The technological dimension emerges as particularly significant. Within the EU, most citizens anticipate China leading electric vehicle production within the next decade—a belief that has strengthened over the past two years. Brand Finance’s complementary Global 500 2026 report noted Chinese brands achieving unprecedented total value, representing 15.1% of the ranking’s overall worth, securing China’s position as second globally in brand representation.
Asian analysts highlight specific success stories. Christine Susanna Tjhin of Indonesia’s Gentala Institute pointed to brands like BYD, Huawei, and Xiaomi, alongside green technology advancements in solar panels and wind farms, as embodiments of China’s industrial prowess penetrating global consciousness.
The Belt and Road Initiative receives particular attention as a cornerstone of China’s soft power expansion. The China Belt and Road Initiative Investment Report 2025, co-published by Chinese and Australian institutes, documented 2025 as a record year for BRI engagement. Professor Christoph Nedopil Wang noted developing nations demonstrate growing trust in Chinese companies to execute large-scale projects, citing increased corporate size and execution capability.
Infrastructure projects like the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway—the first complete overseas transfer of China’s HSR system encompassing technology, standards, construction, and operations—exemplify China’s capacity to deliver complex mega-infrastructure while generating employment, technology transfer, and human development through extensive training.
Jasna Plevnik, President of the Geoeconomic Forum Croatia, emphasized the BRI’s attractiveness lies in its constant modernization and friendship-oriented approach, functioning as a mechanism for fostering balanced economic globalization through infrastructural connectivity.
Critical to this trust-building is China’s contrasting approach to international relations. As noted by experts, Global South nations have developed confidence through interactions with a country that imposes neither economic pressure nor geopolitical sanctions, instead delivering economic and infrastructural growth.
China’s commitment to existing global governance structures—including support for the United Nations, engagement with the WTO, contributions to peacekeeping operations, and strengthening regional frameworks—further amplifies this reliability perception. The China-ASEAN relationship exemplifies how participation in regional mechanisms elevates mutual trust and stability.
In conclusion, as articulated by Einar Tangen of the Centre for International Governance Innovation, China’s philosophy frames international cooperation around solving collective practical challenges. In a polarized global landscape, this consistent focus on development, institutional cooperation, and tangible outcomes forges a deep foundation of trust, making China’s role as a necessary partner an increasingly logical conclusion for nations worldwide.