US and Climate Change the Greatest Threats to China, Singapore the Favoured Source of Sovereign Investment: Lowy Institute China Poll

SYDNEY, December 1 - Of five countries, the United States is seen by the Chinese public as
posing the greatest threat to China's security. But the Chinese population
worries more about climate change and food and water security than
traditional military threats, the Lowy Institute China Poll released today
has found.

"In the lead-up to Copenhagen, it is striking that more Chinese people
worry about environmental threats than the possibility of the United States
trying to restrain China's growing influence", the report's authors Fergus
Hanson and Andrew Shearer of the Sydney-based Lowy Institute said.

Of five countries, 50% of the Chinese public said the United States posed
a threat to China's security, followed by 45% for Japan. Majorities said
India (60%), Russia (71%) and North Korea (81%) did not pose a threat.

A third (34%) said the United States posed the greatest threat to China's
security - the highest rating for the five countries included in the survey.

But the United States was also considered the best of five overseas
English-speaking countries in which to be educated. 53% said America was the
best or second-best country in which to be educated ahead of the United
Kingdom (48%), Singapore (32%), Australia (28%) and Canada (28%).

Of nine possible threats, 'environmental issues like climate change' and
'water and food shortages' topped the list with 76% and 67% respectively of
Chinese adults saying they were a threat to China. 'If Japan were to acquire
nuclear weapons' was considered a threat by 61% of Chinese people and 'if the
United States tried to restrain China's growing influence' by 59%.

Of five countries, only investment from the Singaporean government
secured majority support with 56% of the Chinese public in favour of
companies controlled by the Singaporean government trying to buy controlling
stakes in major Chinese companies. They were divided over investment from the
Canadian and Australian governments but strongly against sovereign investment
from the United States and Japan.

The Poll was conducted by telephone in China between 29 August and 13
September 2009 using a sample of 1,200 adults.

The report will be available for download at: www.lowyinstitute.org

    Contact:
    Orietta Melfi
    on +61-2-8238-9080
    omelfi@lowyinstitute.org

Orietta Melfi on +61-2-8238-9080, omelfi at lowyinstitute.org