Poll of Chinese says majority see the United States as ally

BEIJING, June 12 (UPI) — A poll released Wednesday by a Chinese newspaper says 53.1 percent of respondents in China see the United States and China as allies or friends.

The survey by the Global Times, a tabloid with a strong pro-government slant, also said 80 percent expect the summit in California Friday and Saturday between U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping will have a positive impact on relations.

The poll interviewed 1,305 respondents, age 18 or older, by telephone in seven major Chinese cities.

“The summit, which was portrayed by media as the beginning of a new chapter in Sino-U.S. relations, has boosted confidence among the Chinese public,” said Shi Yinhong of China’s Renmin University School of International Studies.