From hosting the Olympics to the planned launch of the Shenzhou VII manned spacecraft, many Chinese are seeing this year as one with national achievements they can be proud of.
Still, despite booming economic growth and influence over the past three decades, many Chinese do not consider the country a world superpower, a recent survey has showed.
The survey, by social research company Horizon Research, polled more than 3,000 residents in 10 cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Close to 60 percent of those polled thought the country should strengthen collaboration with international organizations or other countries in a wide range of global issues - as a supporter or coordinator rather than a leader.
About six in 10 said they did not consider the country a superpower, while about 22 percent said the country will never become one.
Another 20 percent said the country's journey to becoming a superpower would take more than two decades.
Wang Yizhou is deputy director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
He said, "It is a very normal attitude among Chinese citizens to actively participate in international affairs, but not necessarily as the leader."
"The Chinese people wish for their government to work with other countries to achieve global objectives, but they don't want to be the flag-raiser."
Wang said such a mentality is a legacy of former State leader Deng Xiaoping, whose foreign policy, put forward three decades ago when the country started on its opening-up and reform, had been carried on by his successors.
"According to Deng's theory, when it comes to foreign policies, China is to participate, not to lead, and not to have enemies," Wang said.
The approach has had profound influence on many Chinese politicians, think tanks and the public, Wang added.
The country's overseas presence and interests are gradually expanding as well, Wang said.
"China has become more visible on the global stage," he said.
Global concerns such as climate change and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula have shown that the views of Beijing and its willingness to act on them have become prerequisites to any solution, Wang said.
"This is a time when China is expected to play a larger role in many global issues," Wang said.
At the same time, experts said the survey has shown that more should be involved in assessing the power and influence of the country.
Wang Yusheng is a Beijing-based researcher of international relations. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China should help maintain world peace, strengthen its democracy and seek prosperity for its own people.
"Labeling China as a superpower is not in line with the country's goals," he said.
Questions:
1.What is the name of the company that conducted the poll?
2.What percentage of those polled said they did not think of China as a superpower?
3.Wang mentioned two issues that China has been involved with. What are they?
Answers:
1.Horizon Research.
2.60 percent.
3.Global warming and the Korean Peninsula.
（英語點津 Celene 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
