Analysis

Americans support advancing human rights in China.

On a scale of 1–10 where "10" means "worth putting other priorities at significant risk," the mean response from the U.S. public was 6.79 (6.9 with respect to Hong Kong, 6.66 for Tibet and Xinjiang, and 6.73 for rights of dissidents in China).

On a scale of 1–10 where "10" means "worth putting other priorities at significant risk," the mean response from the U.S. public was 6.79 (6.9 with respect to Hong Kong, 6.66 for Tibet and Xinjiang, and 6.73 for rights of dissidents in China).

This emphasis on the importance of human rights tracks with thought leaders in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

However, there is more division among the U.S. public about how best to address human rights compared with thought leaders. Of the public, 34% thinks the best approach for the United States to take toward China on human rights is to impose economic sanctions on individuals and organizations involved in human rights abuses; 30% favor combining quiet dialogue and engagement with clear public criticism of Chinese abuses without imposing sanctions; 23% support quietly pursuing changes in China’s approach to human rights through bilateral dialogue and engagement of civil society; and 13% think the United States should avoid any confrontations with China over human rights abuses. In contrast, half of U.S. thought leaders—including half of the business respondents—do favor using targeted economic sanctions to advance human rights. This may reflect more familiarity and support among thought leaders for recent legislation on issues such as Hong Kong and Xinjiang, though public support for advancing human rights in China could signal a bipartisan base of support for increased legislative activity going forward.

Younger Americans are just as likely as older Americans to favor using economic sanctions (31% of Americans aged 18–45 and 37% of Americans aged 46 and older). Younger Americans, however, are less likely to put other priorities at significant risk to advance human rights in China. (The mean response of respondents aged 18–30 for protecting human rights in Hong Kong is 6.61, the mean respondent of respondents age 18-30 for protecting the rights of ethnic minorities like Xinjiang or Tibet is 6.30, and the mean response of respondents age 18-30 for protecting the human rights of Chinese dissidents is 6.27.) These values are the lowest mean responses compared to the rest of the age groups surveyed).

A majority (53%) of labor/progressive economic leaders favor using targeted economic sanctions, in addition to the 27% of labor/progressive economic leaders that favor imposing broad economic sanctions on China until its human rights record improves. They are also willing to take significantly more risk to advance human rights in China, with mean responses of 8.27 for Hong Kong, 9.00 for Xinjiang or Tibet, and 8.71 for Chinese dissidents.

Other public opinion polls also show support for promoting human rights. The Pew Research Center recently found that 73% of Americans think the United States should try to promote human rights in China, even if it harms bilateral economic relations, while 23% say the United States should prioritize strengthening economic relations with China at the expense of confronting China on human rights issues.

The 2020 Chicago Council survey also found that 86% of those surveyed support placing sanctions on Chinese officials for human rights abuses.