A new global survey highlights China’s growing influence in digital technology, with strong support from the Global South and rising interest in AI and e-commerce.
 |
| Renmin University’s global survey shows rising recognition of China’s digital leadership, especially in AI, e-commerce, and smart infrastructure in developing nations. Image Courtesy: CH |
Beijing, China – May 8, 2025:
A newly released global survey reveals overwhelming international support for China's digital innovation, particularly among countries in the Global South, signaling a significant shift in global tech leadership perceptions.
According to the 2025 Global Public Digital Technology Perception Report, 86% of 7,599 respondents across 38 countries praised China's digital technology advancements. Conducted by the Global Opinion Research Center at Renmin University of China (RUC), the report underscores how Chinese innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), e-commerce, and digital payments are being recognized as global drivers of progress.
The highest levels of approval were found in Africa (94.3%), South America (93%), and Southeast Asia (91.1%)—regions where Chinese tech is actively reshaping infrastructure, commerce, and governance systems. In South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, approval also exceeded 88%, reflecting the broad geographical reach of China’s digital soft power.
Chinese platforms like Temu and SHEIN have gained traction for their low-cost, high-efficiency supply chains, while AI firms such as DeepSeek, Tencent, and Alibaba are developing large language models that rival global competitors. Digital finance platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay continue to expand internationally, offering accessible, cashless transactions to millions.
"Chinese tech companies are widely seen as leaders in digital innovation," noted Zhang Di, a professor at RUC. He highlighted the rapid rise of Chinese AI models such as DeepSeek’s R1, Tencent’s Hunyuan, and Alibaba’s Qwen, which have shown impressive performance with fewer computational demands.
The report also draws attention to the Global South’s increasing reliance on Chinese digital infrastructure. About 83.6% of respondents from developing nations consider Chinese digital technologies to be beneficial, citing improvements in service delivery, smart infrastructure, and digital governance.
The survey reflects a growing divide in digital engagement between developing and developed countries. While 74.2% of respondents in developing nations actively follow global tech trends, only 50.5% in developed countries do the same. This discrepancy may suggest differing levels of exposure, need, or trust in emerging technologies.
Public sentiment on artificial intelligence is cautiously optimistic. Nearly two-thirds of respondents believe AI enhances work efficiency (62.7%) and student learning (64.9%), though only 34.9% are confident in its impact on job opportunities.
As China continues to export its digital model and forge new partnerships in infrastructure and talent development, this report signals a deepening alignment between Chinese tech companies and the digital ambitions of emerging markets.
The results of the RUC survey suggest that the world’s technological future may not be shaped solely in Silicon Valley—but increasingly, in Beijing.