Poll says Chinese see North as closest ally
Published: 21 Oct. 2009, 23:35
North Korea is China’s closest ally, according to a survey conducted by a Grand National Party lawmaker.
Gu Sang-chan said yesterday that interviews he carried out earlier this month showed that 28.2 percent of the 1,953 Chinese people polled picked North Korea when asked about China’s relations with other countries.
Russia and the United States followed behind at 24.9 and 21.6 percent, respectively, in the poll in which most respondents were aged between 10 and 30.
The lawmaker said the survey was significant because it hinted at the way future generations of Chinese were thinking.
The questionnaire result also revealed that 10.2 percent of those surveyed said South Korea is their closest ally. The figure for Japan was 7.2 percent.
In addition, 57 percent of respondents opposed North Korea’s nuclear ambition, 12.4 percent advocated the nuclear weapons program and 25.4 percent said they didn’t care.
Nearly half the interviewees, at 44 percent, said China has to take precautions against the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Almost 70 percent of respondents supported a free trade agreement between South Korea and China.
In general, those surveyed see South Korea as a clean, bright, robust and rapidly developing country. They don’t think South Korea is a threat to China. In particular, those who had experienced the Korean wave, or hallyu, showed positive attitudes toward South Korea. They think that Korean people are diligent, honest and kind. However, 50.7 percent of interviewees stated that Korean people have a tendency to show off.
“For Korea, China could be the closest ally rather than Japan. We need to strengthen cooperation with China not only in terms of cultural exchanges and politics but also economy,” Gu said.
By Kwon Ho, Lee Min-yong [[email protected]]
Gu Sang-chan said yesterday that interviews he carried out earlier this month showed that 28.2 percent of the 1,953 Chinese people polled picked North Korea when asked about China’s relations with other countries.
Russia and the United States followed behind at 24.9 and 21.6 percent, respectively, in the poll in which most respondents were aged between 10 and 30.
The lawmaker said the survey was significant because it hinted at the way future generations of Chinese were thinking.
The questionnaire result also revealed that 10.2 percent of those surveyed said South Korea is their closest ally. The figure for Japan was 7.2 percent.
In addition, 57 percent of respondents opposed North Korea’s nuclear ambition, 12.4 percent advocated the nuclear weapons program and 25.4 percent said they didn’t care.
Nearly half the interviewees, at 44 percent, said China has to take precautions against the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Almost 70 percent of respondents supported a free trade agreement between South Korea and China.
In general, those surveyed see South Korea as a clean, bright, robust and rapidly developing country. They don’t think South Korea is a threat to China. In particular, those who had experienced the Korean wave, or hallyu, showed positive attitudes toward South Korea. They think that Korean people are diligent, honest and kind. However, 50.7 percent of interviewees stated that Korean people have a tendency to show off.
“For Korea, China could be the closest ally rather than Japan. We need to strengthen cooperation with China not only in terms of cultural exchanges and politics but also economy,” Gu said.
By Kwon Ho, Lee Min-yong [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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