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.)
