Source: Chatham House –
Almost 70% of people globally are comfortable with their government buying Chinese-made clean technologies, new survey finds
News release
jon.wallace
New data suggests that China’s clean tech ‘charm offensive’ is working to win over emerging economies.
COP30 saw China flexing its climate diplomacy muscles in place of an absent US – underpinned by Beijing’s dominance of global clean energy supply chains in stark contrast to President Trump’s outspoken ‘war’ on clean energy.
However, results from a recent survey commissioned by Chatham House and conducted by GlobeScan reveals that there is not only a high level of consumer interest in clean technology around the globe, but also wide support for Chinese-made clean technology like solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs), which are dominating the market.
‘It’s not just theory anymore – solar and EVs are now winning hearts and minds, and most importantly, wallets,’ notes Bernice Lee, Distinguished Fellow at Chatham House’s Environment and Society Centre.
‘Despite President Trump’s high-profile war on clean technology, even in the US large majorities either already own or are interested in buying clean-tech products,’ notes Lee.
Responses collected in summer 2025 across 33 markets revealed that around half of consumers surveyed are at least somewhat likely to consider buying Chinese-made solar panels or EVs – whereas nearly 7 in 10 support their governments purchasing Chinese-made solar panels and wind turbines to some degree.
Despite some governments being vocal over security concerns of tech dependence and China’s growing influence, consumers seem more relaxed – especially younger people.
‘As China becomes more closely associated with supplying affordable versions of these increasingly popular products, China’s soft power continues to grow,’ says Lee.
Results demonstrate that the degree of support correlates with Global North/Global South country status. Respondents from sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Latin America are the most likely to purchase, or support their governments purchasing, Chinese clean technology – whereas richer countries like those in Europe and North America are the least likely.
‘Traditional Western perceptions of Chinese-manufactured products as poor quality are not shared in the Global South, where interest in buying Chinese-clean technology products is very high,’ says Chris Aylett, Research Fellow at Chatham House.
Survey results also demonstrate a clear generational divide – younger consumers like millennials and Gen Z are more likely to consider buying Chinese-made clean technologies while Baby Boomers are the least likely.
In 8 countries surveyed in both 2024 and 2025, the level of support for personal or government consumption of Chinese-made solar panels or EVs remained consistent or increased over the past year – with the largest increases recorded in the USA, South Africa and Turkey.
Chris Aylett said: ‘The growth in positive perceptions of Chinese-made clean technology over the past year is remarkable.’
‘While part of this may simply be due to the surge in availability, another explanation could possibly be the generally improved view of China as a source of certainty and stability, contrasted with the volatility of the US.’
Survey details:
Online surveying in 33 markets in July and August 2025, and 8 markets in July and August 2024 for comparison.
Countries include:
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India*, Indonesia*, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam.
- Europe: France, Germany*, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, UK.
- Latin America: Argentina, Brazil*, Colombia, Mexico*, Peru.
- Middle East and North Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Turkey*.
- North America: Canada, USA*.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa*
(* indicates survey conducted in both 2024 and 2025)
Representative online samples of approximately 1,000 adults in each of 33 markets (500 each in Hong Kong, Kenya, Nigeria, and Singapore, and 1,500 in USA)(n=31,960)
Samples are representative of online population, weighted to reflect general population census data