Young people in China and the U.S. are calling for greater cooperation and mutual benefit to navigate the future of bilateral relations, according to a new CGTN poll. The survey, conducted with over 4,000 respondents aged 18–45, highlights shared optimism for collaboration in tech, culture, and trade—despite lingering competition.
Cooperation Over Conflict
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi weighed in during the Two Sessions press conference, questioning the effectiveness of past trade wars: "What has the U.S. gained?" His remarks align with survey results showing 87.3% of Chinese and 78.5% of American respondents agree that mutual benefit is key to resolving economic friction.
Tech & Trade: Rivals or Partners?
Both sides see strengths in each other: 68.9% of Chinese respondents praised U.S. leadership in biotechnology and AI, while 52.9% of Americans acknowledged China’s dominance in manufacturing. Youth in China prioritized future cooperation in AI (54%) and e-commerce (41.5%), whereas U.S. respondents leaned toward manufacturing (53%) and clean energy (36.4%).
Culture Connects Gen Z
Pop culture and social platforms are emerging as unexpected bridges. Over 75% in both countries believe shared values and entertainment—like Chinese animation, TikTok trends, and K-pop—can boost understanding. U.S. respondents expressed keen interest in Chinese games (27%) and fashion (23.4%), while Chinese youths advocated for joint research projects (49.4%) and student exchanges (43.4%).
The Bottom Line
"We can be partners in achieving mutual success," the poll concludes, with 98.2% of Chinese and 92.6% of U.S. respondents agreeing. From lab collaborations to language exchanges, Gen Z is crafting a playbook for peaceful coexistence—one meme, robot, and solar panel at a time.
(Cover: A student in Shanghai shares Chinese cultural traditions with peers from the U.S., January 2024.)
: Global Poll…
