Global poll sees China rising, but high marks for US:
The world increasingly believes China will become the top superpower but the United States enjoys a better image in most regions, according to a poll released Thursday. A 39-nation study by the Pew Research Center found that the United States is still enjoying the boost to its reputation that followed the election of President Barack Obama -- except in a number of Islamic nations where Washington remains widely disliked. The survey, the US-based center's largest since 2007, found growing criticism of China in most of East Asia and Europe. "However, even in many countries where America is still seen as the top economic power, most believe China will someday become the leading overall superpower," the study said. In Western Europe, the public in all countries polled except Italy -- where the United States was especially popular -- believed that China has topped or has already surpassed the United States "as the world's leading superpower." But the study put the US favorability rating globally a 63 percent, compared with 50 percent for China. Even nations with widespread anti-US feeling gave higher marks when asked about the American people and most acknowledged that Washington allowed personal freedoms for its own citizens.
