In coming decades Russians will regard China as Russia’s important partner and friend.
MOSCOW, November 6, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the way how Russians assess Russian-Chinese relations; how they think the relationships will evolve in the future; whether China is capable of replacing the western countries as an economic partner.
Forty-nine percent of Russians see China as Russia`s economic partner. Thirty-six percent of Russians think that the ties between Russia and China are strong (this is a twofold decrease compared to 2009; 19%). Few Russians regard China as an economic or political rival (a decrease from 24% in 2009 to 8% in 2014). Only 1% of Russians assess Russian-Chinese relations as hostile.
Thinking about the future of relationships, 43% of Russians see China as a friendly state (20% in 2009), and 35% - as a close Russian partner 36% (from 27%, respectively). Only 10% see the future relationships in a negative way (vs 29% five years ago): 9% of them think that China may become a rival to Russia (24% in 2009), and 1% - even an enemy (from 5%).
Sixty percent of respondents are confident that Russian-Chinese economic partnership is mutual (37% in 2009). One-fifth of respondents (22%) believe that China will benefit from that; those who think so are persons who disapprove of the work of the president (54%) and CPRF supporters (34%). Every tenth (10%) considers that it is Russia that will benefit from this partnership.
Three-quarter of Russians (74%) consider that the partnership between China and Russia can make up the consequences of the rupture of economic relations between Russia and the West (24% of them believe that China can fully replace the West; and 50% - partially). They are opposed by 16% of respondents.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on October 18-19, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 132 communities in 45 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.
What is China to Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||
| 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2014 |
Strategic and economic partner | 34 | 36 | 41 | 49 |
Friendly state, ally | 22 | 27 | 19 | 36 |
Economic and political rival | 24 | 21 | 24 | 8 |
Hostile state, likely opponent | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Don`t know | 16 | 13 | 13 | 6 |
In your opinion, will China be Russia`s friend or enemy in the XXI century? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||
| 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2014 |
Ally, friendly state | 22 | 28 | 20 | 43 |
Close partner | 26 | 24 | 27 | 36 |
Dangerous neighbor, rival | 25 | 20 | 24 | 9 |
Rival, enemy | 6 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
Don`t know | 21 | 23 | 24 | 11 |
In your opinion, what country benefits more from Russia-China economic cooperation? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||
| 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2014 |
China | 53 | 45 | 40 | 22 |
Russia | 8 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
Russia and China equally | 25 | 35 | 37 | 60 |
Don`t know | 14 | 15 | 16 | 8 |
Due to mutual sanctions economic relations between Russia and western countries were broken off. In your opinion, is China capable of replacing the western countries as Russia`s economic partner? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||
| Total respondents | Elementary (incomplete secondary) education | Secondary education (school, vocational school) | Specialized secondary education (technical school) | Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institute), higher education |
Absolutely yes | 24 | 19 | 26 | 22 | 27 |
Yes , to a certain degree | 50 | 37 | 46 | 53 | 51 |
No | 16 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 15 |
Don`t know | 10 | 24 | 9 | 11 | 7 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!