Based on a large-scale global survey, this study systematically examines international respondents' cognitions of and attitudes toward the concept of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, their overall assessment of Chinese civilization, and the practices of cross-cultural exchanges. The survey collected 12302 valid responses covering six continents, including Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, North America, and Oceania. Respondents ranged from 18 to 65 years of age, with a generally balanced gender distribution. The survey encompasses multiple dimensions of cultural exchanges: from everyday cultural contact to social value identification, from traditional cultural inheritance to modern technological proliferation, from individual-level cultural experiences to principles of global governance, comprehensively reflecting international society's understanding and practice of cultural exchanges between civilizations/countries.

I. Chinese Popular Culture Fosters People-to-People Connectivity

The results indicate that the influence of Chinese popular culture overseas is experiencing significant growth. A remarkable 86.2% of respondents reported having encountered modern Chinese popular culture, a figure that fully reflects the penetration of Chinese popular culture on a global scale. More notably, 59.1% expressed interest in Chinese popular culture, demonstrating that such exposure has translated into substantive engagement. From a regional distribution perspective, respondents from Asia, South America, and Africa show particularly pronounced interest in Chinese popular culture, all exceeding 60%, which is markedly higher than other regions.

The Chinese popular culture encountered by global audiences demonstrates diversified characteristics. Chinese social media platforms (such as TikTok) rank first with 44.1%, followed closely by Chinese films at 40.9%. Other forms of popular culture also occupy significant positions: Chinese fashion brands (32.9%), Chinese television dramas (32.8%), and Chinese animation (32.3%) all exceed thirty percent. Additionally, digital games produced by Chinese companies achieve an exposure rate of 28.9%, while Chinese popular music (21.7%) and Chinese online novels (16.1%) have relatively lower exposure rates but still maintain considerable influence.

In the view of respondents, the appeal of modern Chinese popular culture is primarily manifested in three aspects. Production/technical quality (46.3%) and visual/aesthetic style (46.2%) constitute the two core elements of modern Chinese popular culture's attractiveness, running virtually neck and neck. Meanwhile, the modern expression of traditional Chinese cultural elements has also become a significant attraction factor, accounting for 41.4%, reflecting the unique charm of Chinese popular culture in integrating traditional and contemporary elements. The appeal of innovative forms of expression stands at 35.5%, while the attractiveness of storylines/content is relatively lower at 30.3%—a finding that merits deeper consideration.

Figure 5.1 Sources of Appeal of Modern Chinese Popular Culture

Chinese popular culture not only enriches the spiritual lives of overseas populations but has also become an important window through which they understand and experience China. The survey reveals that 65.1% of respondents believe Chinese popular culture has enriched their personal lives, while 77% consider that Chinese popular culture has helped them better understand China. This fully demonstrates the positive role that Chinese popular culture plays in promoting cultural exchange and enhancing mutual understanding.

The overseas recognition of Chinese popular culture profoundly demonstrates the vital significance of combining cultural inheritance with innovation. Modern Chinese popular culture, serving as an important vehicle for the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional culture, actively adapts to the demands of contemporary development while maintaining profound cultural foundations. It not only showcases the historical depth and cultural richness of Chinese civilization but also embodies the contemporary characteristics and innovative spirit of keeping pace with the times, becoming an important bridge and bond for fostering people-to-people connectivity in the process of building a community with a shared future for mankind.