WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Americans have a high opinion of China, with over 90% saying that China’s relationship with Russia poses a threat to the United States. This was according to a Pew Research Center survey.

In recent years, negative views of China have skyrocketed in America and other developed economies. Western governments are complaining about China’s increasing power and use economic and military coercion around the globe.

China and Russia are also closer partners, as evidenced by the declaration of “no limits”, partnership in February. This was just weeks after Moscow invaded Ukraine. Beijing has yet not condemned it.

Two-thirds of those who took part in the Pew survey of 3,581 American adults conducted in March described China as a major threat – up 5 percentage points since 2020 and 23 points since the question was first asked in 2013, the U.S.-based Pew said.

Pew found that Americans have a higher opinion of China than 2021 and are now at 82%. This is an all-time high.

Pew found that Americans are “acutely concerned” about China-Russian relations, and 92% of those surveyed considered it to be at least somewhat dangerous for America. According to the survey, 62% said it was “very serious”.

A growing number of Americans, 43%, see China as the largest economy in the world. That’s an 11-point increase since 2020. It is now equal to those who consider the United States the leader.

Pew found that Republicans are less likely to view China negatively than Democrats, and they support more economic sanctions against Beijing.

The U.S.-China relationship has been in decline over recent years and U.S. president Joe Biden has promised that Beijing won’t replace the United States of America as global leader.

China’s support of Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine will be a serious offense, according to the Biden administration. But so far there has been no evidence.