It's clear who's answering the call of times: China Daily editorial

The results of a public opinion poll conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations and Oxford University show that China's global influence is increasing while that of the United States is declining.

It is a conclusion that is widely felt and largely predictable. Over recent years, Washington has exerted significant influence worldwide, but much of it has been highly destructive. China, on the other hand, has exercised an influence that has been significantly constructive. Therefore, not only are countries in the Global South positive about China, but there is growing recognition within Western countries as well that China acts responsibly and is a force for good.

According to a comprehensive survey of nearly 26,000 respondents conducted across 21 countries in November 2025, a resounding majority expects China's global influence to grow significantly over the next decade, and more now view the country as a necessary partner. Conversely, the US is witnessing a precipitous decline in its international standing — a direct consequence of its pivot toward unilateralism and power politics, driven by the ideology of the US administration and its desire to dominate and bully.

When a superpower treats its closest allies with the same hostility it reserves for adversaries, it does not project strength; it projects profound isolation. The US administration's Greenland land-grab fiasco continued to unfold over the weekend with Washington's latest announcement of tariffs against eight European nations that dared to oppose the annexation of the Danish island. The move has further cast a long shadow over the transatlantic alliance.

Newsweek reported on Thursday that a Gallup poll released on the same day showed that the median approval rating for China's influence among NATO countries rose in 2025, while approval for the US leadership declined. Gallup data highlight that against a backdrop of sensitive geopolitical events, including the Ukraine crisis, the turbulent situation in Iran, the US administration's military actions against Venezuela and its open coveting for Greenland, public approval of the US has significantly decreased, while support for China has increased. The median approval rating for China's influence rose by 8 percentage points to 22 percent, the largest annual increase recorded in the survey, 1 percentage point higher than the US' 21 percent approval rating, which slumped by 14 percentage points compared to the year before. In eight NATO member states — Slovenia, Luxembourg, Turkiye, Bulgaria, Spain, Montenegro, Iceland and Greece — China's approval rating was at least 10 percentage points higher than that of the US.

The US mask of being the "champion" of "democracy" and "human rights" has further slipped. The violent enforcement of immigration policies under the guise of "national security" has resulted in grave social injustices and sparked large-scale protests across US cities.

All these have exposed a jarring contradiction between Washington's rhetoric on so-called "universal values" and its internal reality.

China's rising influence is rooted in its role as a stabilizer in an era of profound changes. At a time when some major Western economies succumb to US pressure retreating into trade protectionism and even tariff wars, China remains a steadfast supporter of multilateralism and economic globalization. Whether it is mediating in regional hotspot issues, promoting the world's common development or contributing to coordinated responses to global challenges, Beijing has consistently stood on the right side of history, upholding international fairness and justice.

China's vision is not about vying for hegemony or supremacy; it is about building a community with a shared future for humanity. The positive shift in global public opinion toward China is a natural recognition of this commitment. In a world craving peace and development, the international community naturally gravitates toward those who build bridges rather than those who burn them.

The latest poll results should serve as a wake-up call for the US: unilateral bullying only leads to isolation, while win-win cooperation leads to the future.