AnalysisThought leaders think climate change is the most important area to seek cooperation with China.
When asked to select promising areas for increased U.S.-China cooperation, the first choice among American thought leaders overall is addressing climate change (37% of "first choice" responses), followed by global health (14%) and student/scholarly exchange (11%). However, some focus group discussion participants pointed out that cooperation on an issue such as climate change could include student and scholarly exchange and that these are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
| First Choice | Second Choice | Third Choice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addressing climate change | 36.82% | 20.19% | 12.65% |
| Global health | 14.32% | 24.33% | 17.03% |
| Scholarly/student exchange | 10.91% | 11.92% | 15.57% |
| Countering proliferation by North Korea | 9.09% | 10.46% | 13.38% |
| Updating the rules related to global economic governance | 5.91% | 5.84% | 8.52% |
| Global infrastructure development | 5.45% | 5.35% | 8.76% |
| Cultural exchange | 5.23% | 9.25% | 9.98% |
| Advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovation | 2.95% | 7.06% | 6.33% |
| Combating terrorism | 1.59% | 3.41% | 5.35% |
| Investment in the U.S. economy | 0.91% | 0.97% | 0.97% |
| Exploration in space | 0.23% | 1.22% | 1.46% |
| None | 6.59% | 0% | 0% |
- <5%
- 5%
- 10%
- >15%
By the Numbers
- 37%
of U.S. thought leaders believe climate change is the most promising area for U.S.-China cooperation.
- 14%
of U.S. thought leaders believe global health is the most promising area for U.S.-China cooperation.
The 2020 Chicago Council survey suggests the American public agrees on the potential to cooperate with China on climate change, favors a restrictive approach to scientific research, and is somewhat divided on whether to promote student exchange. Overall, 72% want to work with China on climate change, 50% support restricting scientific research, and 45% support limiting the number of Chinese international students in the United States. Across the political spectrum, 65% of Republicans support reducing the number of Chinese students studying in the United States, compared to 44% of independents and 32% of Democrats.