(AURN News) — New data released by the Pew Research Center highlights a prevailing sense of distrust among Americans towards China, positioning the nation as a significant concern on the international stage. The survey, conducted between the end of May and the beginning of June, posed an open-ended question to respondents, seeking their perspective on the greatest threat to the country. Half (50%) of the respondents identified China as the most substantial threat, while only 17% pointed to Russia, 2% to North Korea, and another 2% identified the United States itself as a threat.

This comes amidst the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, where the conventional perception might have leaned toward Russia as a prominent threat. You may remember the recent Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by the military in February, sparking major espionage concerns. In response, the House of Representatives swiftly passed a unanimous resolution condemning China's alleged spy activities.

Anxieties have also escalated concerning alleged Chinese spying through popular apps like TikTok. These concerns prompted both a Justice Department investigation and a Congressional hearing to address potential risks.

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