From a teacher of English at a university in Shandong province, northwest of Shanghai:

The small survey I did recently in Jinan involved 47 persons altogether. Among them were 34 sophomores from Shandong, six juniors from Beijing, and two civil servants. The rest were young professionals.

About half the participants expressed their concern about the US presidential elections. Those who do not care about it have their excuses. A 21-year-old junior said: “I have been busy with my coming examinations, and I have no time to care about it, besides, this is too far away from my own life.”

A 30-year-old computer programmer said: “It doesn’t make any difference for me to care about US presidential elections. This is the Americans’ own business, which has nothing to do with me.”

Four participants believe that the outcome, to a certain extent, will change Chinese people’s view of America. Thirty-eight people strongly believe that the Chinese view of America will not be changed by a new president, because China’s view has been formed by America’s long-term behaviour.

Besides, about 30 participants think the outcome will not suggest a new role for US in the world. They believe that no matter who will be the president, they will do their best to maintain to be Number 1 in the world. Only eight participants think that the outcome might suggest a new role for US, because the new president may promote some new rules, which might be different from the past.

Of all the participants, 34 people think Obama will win the election, while four of them think McCain will be the future president. The rest did not choose, because they do not care about the elections and they don’t know who the candidates are.

Most students involved in this survey even have no idea of McCain. But two students who chose McCain said that he looked more competent for this post.

For those who chose Obama, only a few students have some idea about his political stand. Some students have only the slightest knowledge about Obama, for example, that his brother-in-law is a Chinese-Canadian.

Most students choose him not because of his policy, but because of something else. As a 20-year-old sophomore put it: “I choose Obama because of his complexion. I would like to see a black president of US, which is good for elimination of racial discrimination. Besides, he is young, handsome and energetic.”

Thirty-two participants are hoping that the new president should visit China and know more about China. They would like to see a healthy relationship between the two countries. Two of the participants are not expecting the new president to visit China.

The rest did not make a choice, and they said that it was just a protocol. It happened all the same. A new president would visit China, and would seem to be very friendly, and when they came back, things would go back as usual. Nothing changes. So these participants would rather keep silent on this matter.