China's rise seen as threatening to many in Asia-Pacific region China's power and influence is a to our country Major threat Minor threat Not a threat
Most in the region worry about China’s growing military power. China’s official military budget grew by about 9% per year over the past decade, and few of its neighbors appear to welcome the increase. In South Korea, Japan and Vietnam – countries actively engaged in disputes with China over military deployments or territory in the East and South China seas – nine-in-ten or more think China’s growing military power is a bad thing for their country. In India, even before a recent border dispute in the Himalayas, people had a negative view of Beijing by a more than three-to-one margin.
Although China’s power and influence is not seen as a top threat globally, many in Asia-Pacific countries see it a key concern. Outside the region, a median of 27% see China’s power and influence as a major threat to their country. But among the seven Asia-Pacific countries surveyed, a median of 47% see it as a major threat. South Koreans and Vietnamese even rate China’s power and influence as the top threat facing their nations. Concerns about China also outpace concerns about the United States across the region; a median of 35% say U.S. power and influence is a major threat to their country.
China's rise seen as threatening to  | many in Asia-Pacific region  | China's power and influence is a to our country  | Major threat Minor threat Not a threat  | South  | 83% 13% 3%  | Korea  | Vietnam  | 80 12  | 25  | Japan  | 64  | Philippines  | 47  | 30  | 18  | India  | 44  | 21  | Indonesia  | 43  | 31  | 17  | Australia  | 13  | 39  | 47  | Source: Spring 2017 Globa Attitudes Survey  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 