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In most countries people have a more favourable opinion of China than the United States (US).

This is according to a survey conducted by Pew Research, a think tank based in the US.

It surveyed more than 42 000 people in 36 countries between February and May.

In only nine of the 36 countries surveyed did more people have a favourable opinion of the US than of China.

Those countries were Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Japan, Hungary, Ghana, Brazil, and Israel.

Israel has been a longstanding ally of the US while South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and India are all threatened by an expansionist China, with the first three also facing Chinese sabre-rattling in the South China Sea.

In South Africa, 52% of people had a favourable opinion of China, while 36% had a favourable opinion of the US.

Three other African countries were surveyed: Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria.

In Nigeria, 78% of people had a favourable opinion of China and 63% had a favourable opinion of the US.

In Kenya, 76% of people had a favourable opinion of China and 63% had a favourable opinion of the US.

In Ghana, it was a virtual dead heat, with 68% of people having a favourable opinion of US and 64% of China.

Pakistan had the most favourable opinion of China. In that country 90% of people viewed China favourably, compared to 15% who viewed the US favourably.

These results suggest that China is winning the global information and propaganda war against the US and the West more broadly. Beijing has successfully presented itself across much of the developing world as a partner in trade, infrastructure, and growth, while portraying the West as hypocritical, interventionist, and in decline. Whether that image reflects reality is less important than the fact that it has taken hold. In the contest for global influence, perceptions shape alliances, investment decisions, and diplomatic support, and China increasingly appears to have the advantage.