Through Each Other’s Lenses: China in the World’s Eyes

For the second session of our series, Through Each Other’s Lenses: Public Perceptions of China and the World, we are honoured to welcome the Pew Research Center join the discussion. Drawing on their extensive, year-long research, they will share insights into how people across different countries and regions perceive China, and how these views have evolved in recent years.

Agenda

About this series

Public perception may sound like an illusive term. First, “the public” is almost impossible to define and reach. Even then, likes, tendencies and opinions can be deeply subjective and difficult to articulate even for individuals, let alone for the masses. Understanding public perceptions therefore requires not only great sensitivity and nuance, but also sustained effort and careful study over time.

Despite these challenges, few would question the importance of public perceptions, especially in the world of international politics. Increasing evidence suggests that public perceptions are a vital, if not one of the most important, factors shaping foreign policy decisions, consciously or unconsciously. In an age of social media, rapid global change and increasingly interconnected societies, their influence is only growing.

The EU SME Centre and the European Chamber are pleased to invite stakeholders to this new series of Policy Meetings, “Through Each Other’s Lenses: Public Perceptions of China and the World”, to hear from leading researchers, drawing on years of dedicated research. This series explores how China is perceived both by its own people and by the world around it, and how China perceives the world.

Eligibility criteria and registration

This is a closed meeting open to consortium partners’ management and relevant stakeholders of EU SME Centre Phase V, including European embassies, consulates, EU-funded projects and secretariat/board members from European chambers or business associations only. If you meet the criteria and would like to attend, please send your information to Ms Miriam Verzellino (intern011@europeanchamber.com.cn) with the subject line before Thursday 17 September COB. You will receive a confirmation email with the Teams link to attend.

About the speakers

Laura Silver

Associate Director, Pew Research Center

Laura Silver is an associate director at Pew Research Center. She is an expert in international survey research and writes about a variety of topics, including global attitudes toward China, views of democracy and opinions about foreign policy. Prior to joining Pew Research Center, she was a foreign affairs research analyst at the U.S. Department of State in the Office of Opinion Research, where she designed and implemented surveys in East Asia. In this role, she was awarded Best New Analyst by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research for her public opinion analysis. She received a dual Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication and the political science department at the University of Pennsylvania where her work focused on American public opinion of China, particularly in the context of presidential elections.

Jonathan Schulman

Research Associate, Pew Research Center

Jonathan Schulman is a research associate focusing on global attitudes research at Pew Research Center.