A new Washington Post/ABC News poll takes stock of American attitudes on China:
Asked whether this century would be more of an "American Century" or more of a "Chinese Century," Americans divide evenly in terms of the economy (41 percent say Chinese, 40 percent American) and tilt toward the Chinese in terms of world affairs (43 percent say Chinese, 38 percent American). A slim majority say the United States will play a diminished role in the world's economy this century, and nearly half see the country's position shrinking in world affairs more generally.
The poll also found an America more or less resigned to playing a more reduced role in world affairs. 40% said it was neither good nor bad that the U.S. would play a smaller role in the world economy (vs. 15% who said it was good and 43% who said it was bad). The same 40% expressed ambivalence about the U.S. playing less a role in world affairs.
