Why China’s approach is outperforming flashy narratives

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser. Editor's note: Warwick Powell is an adjunct professor at Queensland University of Technology. This article reflects the author's opinion not necessarily those of CGTN's. Tourists taking photos and sightseeing at the Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China, June 9, 2026. /VCG In an era of relentless information warfare and competing global narratives, one might expect the side with the slickest messaging to dominate. Yet recent evidence suggests otherwise. A June 2026 Pew Research Center survey across 36 countries reveals a notable shift: In 25 nations, more respondents held favorable views of China than of the United States — the first time Pew has recorded this outcome in roughly two decades of tracking. China's favorability reached a median of around 46%, while the US sat at 36%. This reversal is particularly pronounced in middle-income and Global South countries. This outcome challenges assumptions about the supremacy of creative propaganda. China is not renowned for flashy public diplomacy.

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