By Ifay Chang, Ph.D.   Bilingual Columnist, U.S.–China Forum

A recent report from an international relations research group has sparked widespread attention among Chinese communities around the world. Titled “The Top 10 Most Anti-China Countries in the World,” the report was produced by the World Impression Organization and presented in a YouTube video  (https://youtu.be/dLHXjGfhQFk?si=EUMDVtUkPMQkcZYA7).

After reading a brief commentary by my friend Yu Ligong, I watched the video immediately. It left me deeply moved — not only by the challenges China faces in its rise and diplomacy, but also by the heavy burden of striving for peace and prosperity. The video listed ten countries deemed most unfriendly toward China, citing specific incidents and patterns of hostility. While I do not endorse these countries’ actions, I believe their motivations and historical context warrant closer examination. In any bilateral relationship, understanding the facts is essential — but grasping the underlying reasons is even more important. This article will explore each of the ten countries in reverse order, offering insights into the roots of their anti-China sentiment. I invite Chinese people worldwide to reflect on these dynamics. For those living in these ten countries, I especially encourage you to share your own experiences and perspectives.

China has many diplomatic think tanks, but broad, grassroots observations remain invaluable. Let us begin with the country ranked tenth.

No. 10: Sweden

Sweden formally established diplomatic relations with China in 1950, and for decades, the relationship remained stable. However, since 2015, Sweden’s criticism of China — often framed around human rights — has grown increasingly vocal.

This shift, I believe, stems from Sweden’s deep-rooted ideological stance: historically anti-Russian and anti-communist. The Crimean crisis brought Russia and China closer under Western pressure, and Swedish media coverage became notably more biased. Additional factors include Taiwan’s strategic efforts to win favor from smaller nations and the Western dominance of global media narratives, which often portray China through an ideologically tinted lens.

In its early years, China’s rapid modernization led to policy missteps that drew human rights criticism. Yet even as China progressed, Western media — shaped by ideological bias and corporate interests — have continued to present a distorted picture, rarely offering a fair or balanced view of China’s reality.

No. 9: The Philippines

The Philippines was a Spanish colony from 1521 to 1898, then became an American colony following the U.S.–Spanish War. Although it declared independence in 1898, the U.S. suppressed the movement and maintained control until 1946. Even after independence, American influence has remained strong, shaping the Philippines’ foreign policy and its posture toward China.

Today, the country is home to approximately 1.5 million ethnic Chinese (1.23% of the population), who play a significant role in its economy. Under President Rodrigo Duterte (2016–2022), relations with China improved markedly, as both sides set aside disputes in the South China Sea. However, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Manila has realigned with Washington, expanding U.S. military bases from five to nine by 2023 and joining broader anti-China coalitions.

Recent tensions at Huangyan (Scarborough) Shoal are largely fueled by U.S. involvement. Geopolitically, the Philippines would benefit from a policy of regional harmony with China — but American strategic interests continue to steer it in a confrontational direction.

No. 8: The United Kingdom

The U.K. ranks eighth — though in my view, this position underestimates its role. Since the Opium Wars and the imposition of unequal treaties, Britain has maintained a condescending and often hostile posture toward China. Historically shrewd and calculating, it frequently devises anti-China strategies for others to implement.

Britain’s delayed return of Hong Kong and its involvement in post-handover unrest reflect a lingering colonial mindset. British media routinely present China in a negative light, and within the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance, the U.K. plays a quiet but active role in anti-China operations and rhetoric. Despite its diminished global stature, the Anglo-American alliance remains robust, driven by enduring colonial-era superiority complexes embedded in Western institutions.

Under U.S. pressure, Britain banned Huawei and imposed semiconductor restrictions, significantly curtailing bilateral trade. These actions underscore how strategic alignment often overrides economic pragmatism.

No. 7: Canada

Canada has long been perceived as America’s junior partner — economically reliant (with 75% of its exports going to the U.S.) and culturally intertwined. It’s often jokingly referred to as the “51st state.” Yet when the U.S. imposes tariffs even on its allies, Canadians feel the sting of humiliation.

The 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of Washington was a stark example of Canada’s subservience, severely damaging China–Canada relations. While the Canadian public generally harbors no deep animosity toward Chinese people — and the Chinese community in Canada continues to thrive — the government’s actions have earned it a high anti-China ranking.

There may be room for improvement: newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled interest in repairing ties, suggesting that Canada’s position on this list could shift in the future.

No. 6: India

India, once under British colonial rule (1757–1947), remains only partially unified today. Its border dispute with China in the Himalayas traces back to the illegitimate “McMahon Line,” arbitrarily drawn by a British officer — a legacy of colonial interference.

India’s foreign policy has traditionally been non-aligned, yet opportunistic — navigating among major powers to maximize its strategic leverage. It often overestimates its own capabilities and adopts a shrewd posture toward China. When Russia and China enjoy friendly ties, or when U.S.–China tensions ease, India tends to temper its provocations.

Ambitious Indian politicians speak of surpassing China, but the country must first confront its own deep-seated internal challenges — a task far more daunting than public rhetoric admits.

No. 5: Lithuania

Lithuania’s high ranking stems primarily from its breach of China’s “One-China” principle. Encouraged by Taiwan’s diplomatic overtures, Lithuania allowed the establishment of a “Taiwan Representative Office” under that name — a move widely seen as a deliberate provocation.

China responded with economic sanctions that hit Lithuania hard, though the European Union offered political cover. Lithuania’s anti-China stance is largely shaped by Western ideological influence and media narratives, often invoking issues like Xinjiang and Hong Kong to challenge China’s sovereignty.

The dominance of English-language media has made it difficult for China to present its own perspective globally. However, Beijing is gradually recalibrating its communication strategy to address this imbalance.

No. 4: Australia

Originally established as a British penal colony (1788–1868, with over 162,000 convicts sent from Britain and Ireland), Australia became a federation in 1901. For decades, its “White Australia” policy restricted non-European immigration, only easing after World War II.

In recent years, conservative leaders such as Scott Morrison pushed China–Australia relations to a low point, triggering trade disruptions and diplomatic friction. The current prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has adopted a more pragmatic approach, seeking to restore economic ties. However, Australia’s deep military alignment with the United States continues to constrain its foreign policy independence.

While trade cooperation is gradually recovering, the trajectory of China–Australia relations remains closely tied to the broader U.S.–China strategic dynamic.

No. 3: South Korea

Korea’s historical relationship with China spans centuries — it once functioned as a tributary state. Japanese colonization ended with Tokyo’s defeat in 1945, but the ensuing U.S.–Soviet rivalry split the peninsula, culminating in the Korean War. China intervened to prevent U.S. forces from reaching its border, while Russia sent troops to support China, resulting in a prolonged stalemate along the 38th parallel.

Today, South Korea’s economy is deeply intertwined with China, yet its political orientation remains under strong U.S. influence. Public sentiment toward China is mixed: some South Koreans value historical and cultural ties, while others — shaped by anti-North Korean attitudes and media narratives — lean toward skepticism or hostility.

Former president Yoon Suk-yeol’s overtly pro-American stance strained bilateral relations. However, the newly elected President Lee Jae-myung appears more balanced, offering hope for a more constructive future.

No. 2: The United States

Since formally recognizing the People’s Republic of China in 1979, U.S. policy has shifted dramatically — from partnering with China to counter the Soviet Union, to now seeking to contain China itself.

China’s meteoric rise from 1990 to 2025 has unsettled Washington, which now labels China its “primary adversary.” From Obama’s “pivot to Asia” to Trump’s tariff war, the U.S. has pursued a strategy of encirclement through alliances and economic pressure. Yet China has responded with resilience, accelerating its development in technology, defense, and industrial capacity.

Trade wars have failed to derail China’s progress; instead, they have spurred domestic innovation — from semiconductors to hypersonic weapons. The Biden administration faces internal economic and political constraints, and even American think tanks now advocate for a more pragmatic, cooperative approach.

If the U.S. were to abandon its ideological hostility, this “anti-China ranking” might become obsolete.

No. 1: Japan

Japan’s position at the top of the list is no surprise. Historically, Japan admired and emulated Chinese civilization, but its aggressive, expansionist nationalism led it down a darker path. Following the Meiji Restoration, Japan became the first Asian nation to industrialize, and its imperial ambitions grew unchecked.

Japan joined Western powers in invading China, looting vast resources, and launching a full-scale war — wrongly assuming China would surrender within six months. Instead, China resisted for eight years, ultimately defeating Japan in 1945. Postwar Japan, under U.S. occupation, became a dependent ally. Yet it has never fully acknowledged its wartime atrocities, teaching younger generations a sanitized version of history.

This historical denial continues to strain relations not only with China, but also with Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, and others. Despite its economic reliance on China, Japan remains politically constrained by right-wing nationalist forces — many descended from imperial-era elites. The new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is an ultranationalist with a hawkish stance toward China.

True peace in East Asia may require Japan to confront its past with sincerity — something China has long tolerated, but cannot indefinitely.

Conclusion

This analysis draws primarily from recent developments and historical context. Chinese communities around the world may offer deeper insights, and readers are encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives.