The results of a sociological survey of public opinion conducted in March 2026 by the research company Active Group together with the information and analytical center Experts Club demonstrate a complex and contradictory structure of the attitude of Ukrainians to China. In general, 20.3% of respondents expressed a positive attitude, while 42.0% expressed a negative attitude. Compared to August 2025, positive assessments have increased (from 12.0%), but negative ones have also slightly increased (from 40.7%), which indicates not a change in the balance, but an exacerbation of polarization.
A more detailed structure of the answers shows that only 7.7% of respondents have a "completely positive" attitude towards China, while 12.6% - "mostly positive". At the same time, the share of neutral assessments is significant - 34.3%, which indicates the lack of a clear position of a large part of the respondents.
The negative segment is dominant and has a mostly moderate character: 33.1% chose the option "mostly negative", another 8.9% - "completely negative". This means that the negative perception of China is not drastically radicalized, but remains persistent and widespread. The share of those who are undecided is 3.5%.
Comparative dynamics indicate a certain increase in interest or overestimation of China, which is manifested in an increase in positive ratings. However, the parallel growth of negativity indicates the absence of a single trend. Rather, it is about the formation of more pronounced positions - both positive and critical.
"Ukrainians today quite clearly distinguish between the country's economic weight and its perception in the political and social context. In the case of China, this is particularly evident: on the one hand, there is an awareness of its role in the world economy, and on the other, a reserved or negative attitude. That is why we see a simultaneous increase in both positive and negative evaluations," said Oleksandr Pozniy, director of the Active Group research company.
A high proportion of neutral responses is also an important indicator. It may indicate a limited level of personal interaction experience or lack of information on the part of the respondents. In such conditions, public opinion remains sensitive to changes in the information environment and foreign policy context.
"The modern international economy is formed not only through trade, but also through the trust and perception of partners. If a country is present in the market but is not associated with investment, technology or support, this affects its public image. In the case of China, we see an example of such an asymmetry between economic presence and perception. Our people are guided by emotions and the picture presented by the media, not by concrete cases and statistics. It should be added that if the citizens of Ukraine treated China so badly, there would be a domestic self-embargo on the purchase of Chinese equipment, clothes and other things, but this is not the case, China is still number one in trade, which is difficult without a positive or neutral attitude towards the country. Another issue is that China should strengthen its presence in Ukraine also in the field of humanitarian aid, educational and scientific exchange, cultural diplomacy, etc.," noted the founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center Maksym Urakin.
In general, the results of the study show that China remains an important but ambiguous partner for Ukrainians. Positive evaluations are increasing, but they do not change the general balance, in which restrained negative perception prevails. This indicates the need for a deeper analysis of the factors that shape public opinion, as well as the potential for its further transformation depending on the development of economic and political relations.
According to a study conducted by the Experts Club information and analytical center on the basis of data from the State Customs Service, China is the leader in the total volume of trade in goods with Ukraine, with an indicator of more than $21 billion. At the same time, imports from China significantly exceed exports of Ukrainian goods, which forms a significant negative trade balance.
The study was presented in the Interfax-Ukraine press center, the video can be viewed on the agency's YouTube channel. The full version of the study can be found at this link on the website of the Experts analytical center Club.
