PETALING JAYA: Malaysians’ favourability towards China has almost doubled from 39% in 2022 to 77% this year, according to a survey by the research firm Merdeka Center.
The survey reveals that among Malays, the favourability towards China soared from 28% in 2022 to 73% in 2024.
Among the Chinese community, it went from 67% in 2022 to 90% in 2024.
The public opinion survey, titled “Perception towards China: Foreign Affairs, Current Issues, Diplomacy and Economy”, was conducted between May 17 and June 10 to mark the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.
“On the issue of perceived relationship, the percentage rose from 70% in 2022 to 84% in 2024 and 62% say the overall impression of China is better in 2024 with only 34% in 2022,” said Merdeka Center in a statement.
It said 84% viewed the relationship between China and Malaysia as positive now compared to 70% in 2022.
“On the perception of Chinese investment, the positive percentage increased from 70% in 2022 to 82% in 2024,” it added.
The Merdeka Center conducted telephone interviews with 1,225 respondents aged 18 and above, selected through a random stratified sampling method based on ethnicity, gender, age and state, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.94%.
Among 10 industries, respondents chose collaborations in the digital economy as the topmost field in which Malaysia and China should work together.
This was followed by infrastructure development, tourism, manufacturing and electric vehicles.
