{"id":10318,"date":"2025-11-29T07:39:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T15:39:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/?p=10318"},"modified":"2025-11-29T07:39:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T15:39:19","slug":"636-11-29-ifay-chang-ph-d-interpreting-the-global-anti-china-ranking-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/2025\/10318\/","title":{"rendered":"#636 11\/29 Ifay Chang, Ph.D. Interpreting the Global Anti-China Ranking List"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Ifay Chang, Ph.D.\u00a0 \u00a0Bilingual Columnist, U.S.\u2013China Forum<\/strong><\/p>\n

A recent report from an international relations research group has sparked widespread attention among Chinese communities around the world. Titled \u201cThe Top 10 Most Anti-China Countries in the World,\u201d the report was produced by the World Impression Organization and presented in a YouTube video\u00a0 (https:\/\/youtu.be\/dLHXjGfhQFk?si=EUMDVtUkPMQkcZYA7<\/a>).<\/p>\n

After reading a brief commentary by my friend Yu Ligong, I watched the video immediately. It left me deeply moved \u2014 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\u2019 actions, I believe their motivations and historical context warrant closer examination. In any bilateral relationship, understanding the facts is essential \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

China has many diplomatic think tanks, but broad, grassroots observations remain invaluable. Let us begin with the country ranked tenth.<\/p>\n

No. 10: Sweden<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sweden formally established diplomatic relations with China in 1950, and for decades, the relationship remained stable. However, since 2015, Sweden\u2019s criticism of China \u2014 often framed around human rights \u2014 has grown increasingly vocal.<\/p>\n

This shift, I believe, stems from Sweden\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

In its early years, China\u2019s rapid modernization led to policy missteps that drew human rights criticism. Yet even as China progressed, Western media \u2014 shaped by ideological bias and corporate interests \u2014 have continued to present a distorted picture, rarely offering a fair or balanced view of China\u2019s reality.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No. 9: The Philippines<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Philippines was a Spanish colony from 1521 to 1898, then became an American colony following the U.S.\u2013Spanish 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\u2019 foreign policy and its posture toward China.<\/p>\n

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\u20132022), 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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 but American strategic interests continue to steer it in a confrontational direction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No. 8: The United Kingdom<\/strong><\/p>\n

The U.K. ranks eighth \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Britain\u2019s 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 \u201cFive Eyes\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No. 7: Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n

Canada has long been perceived as America\u2019s junior partner \u2014 economically reliant (with 75% of its exports going to the U.S.) and culturally intertwined. It\u2019s often jokingly referred to as the \u201c51st state.\u201d Yet when the U.S. imposes tariffs even on its allies, Canadians feel the sting of humiliation.<\/p>\n

The 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of Washington was a stark example of Canada\u2019s subservience, severely damaging China\u2013Canada relations. While the Canadian public generally harbors no deep animosity toward Chinese people \u2014 and the Chinese community in Canada continues to thrive \u2014 the government\u2019s actions have earned it a high anti-China ranking.<\/p>\n

There may be room for improvement: newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled interest in repairing ties, suggesting that Canada\u2019s position on this list could shift in the future.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No. 6: India<\/strong><\/p>\n

India, once under British colonial rule (1757\u20131947), remains only partially unified today. Its border dispute with China in the Himalayas traces back to the illegitimate \u201cMcMahon Line,\u201d arbitrarily drawn by a British officer \u2014 a legacy of colonial interference.<\/p>\n

India\u2019s foreign policy has traditionally been non-aligned, yet opportunistic \u2014 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.\u2013China tensions ease, India tends to temper its provocations.<\/p>\n

Ambitious Indian politicians speak of surpassing China, but the country must first confront its own deep-seated internal challenges \u2014 a task far more daunting than public rhetoric admits.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No. 5: Lithuania<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lithuania\u2019s high ranking stems primarily from its breach of China\u2019s \u201cOne-China\u201d principle. Encouraged by Taiwan\u2019s diplomatic overtures, Lithuania allowed the establishment of a \u201cTaiwan Representative Office\u201d under that name \u2014 a move widely seen as a deliberate provocation.<\/p>\n

China responded with economic sanctions that hit Lithuania hard, though the European Union offered political cover. Lithuania\u2019s anti-China stance is largely shaped by Western ideological influence and media narratives, often invoking issues like Xinjiang and Hong Kong to challenge China\u2019s sovereignty.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No. 4: Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n

Originally established as a British penal colony (1788\u20131868, with over 162,000 convicts sent from Britain and Ireland), Australia became a federation in 1901. For decades, its \u201cWhite Australia\u201d policy restricted non-European immigration, only easing after World War II.<\/p>\n

In recent years, conservative leaders such as Scott Morrison pushed China\u2013Australia 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\u2019s deep military alignment with the United States continues to constrain its foreign policy independence.<\/p>\n

While trade cooperation is gradually recovering, the trajectory of China\u2013Australia relations remains closely tied to the broader U.S.\u2013China strategic dynamic.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No. 3: South Korea<\/strong><\/p>\n

Korea\u2019s historical relationship with China spans centuries \u2014 it once functioned as a tributary state. Japanese colonization ended with Tokyo\u2019s defeat in 1945, but the ensuing U.S.\u2013Soviet 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.<\/p>\n

Today, South Korea\u2019s 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 \u2014 shaped by anti-North Korean attitudes and media narratives \u2014 lean toward skepticism or hostility.<\/p>\n

Former president Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No. 2: The United States<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since formally recognizing the People\u2019s Republic of China in 1979, U.S. policy has shifted dramatically \u2014 from partnering with China to counter the Soviet Union, to now seeking to contain China itself.<\/p>\n

China\u2019s meteoric rise from 1990 to 2025 has unsettled Washington, which now labels China its \u201cprimary adversary.\u201d From Obama\u2019s \u201cpivot to Asia\u201d to Trump\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Trade wars have failed to derail China\u2019s progress; instead, they have spurred domestic innovation \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

If the U.S. were to abandon its ideological hostility, this \u201canti-China ranking\u201d might become obsolete.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No. 1: Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Japan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Japan joined Western powers in invading China, looting vast resources, and launching a full-scale war \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 many descended from imperial-era elites. The new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is an ultranationalist with a hawkish stance toward China.<\/p>\n

True peace in East Asia may require Japan to confront its past with sincerity \u2014 something China has long tolerated, but cannot indefinitely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\r\n
\r\n \r\n <\/i>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/span>\r\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Ifay Chang, Ph.D.\u00a0 \u00a0Bilingual Columnist, U.S.\u2013China Forum A recent report from an international relations research group has sparked widespread attention among Chinese communities around the world. Titled \u201cThe Top 10 Most Anti-China Countries in the World,\u201d the report was produced by the World Impression Organization and presented in a YouTube video\u00a0 (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 \u2014 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\u2019 actions, I believe their motivations and historical context warrant closer examination. In any bilateral relationship, understanding the facts is essential \u2014 but grasping the underlying reasons is even …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[130,45,467],"tags":[113],"class_list":["post-10318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","category-forum","category-international-politics","tag-dr-ifay-chang"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10318"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10319,"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10318\/revisions\/10319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us-chinaforum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}