WASHINGTON — China’s neighbours in Asia are increasingly anxious that maritime disputes will lead to military conflict, a broad study conducted in 44 countries by a United States research group has found.

Even in China itself, polling showed that 62 per cent of the public are worried that territorial disputes between Beijing and its neighbours could lead to an armed conflict, the Pew Research Center said.

“This year, in all 11 Asian nations polled, roughly half or more say they are concerned that territorial disputes between China and its neighbours will lead to a military conflict,” said the study released in Washington on Monday.

The fears were most felt among countries embroiled in the disputes with China, including 93 per cent of Filipinos, 85 per cent of Japanese, 84 per cent of Vietnamese and 83 per cent of South Koreans.

“Asians’ concerns about China reflect the fact that, as Asia’s largest economic and military power sitting at the centre of the region, Beijing has territorial disputes with many of its neighbours. There is widespread concern among (the) public in East, South-east and South Asia that these frictions could lead to military conflict,” the report said.

The findings come as China is embroiled in a dispute with Japan over islets in the East China Sea, with Vietnam for oil exploration in contested waters and with the Philippines where it is building artificial islands in an area claimed by both. China also says part of the north-eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese.

In the US, 67 per cent of respondents were worried about the prospect of military conflict arising from China’s maritime disputes.

“Americans watch all this Asian regional territorial tension with a wary eye. The US has a long-standing security alliance with Japan, a new military pact with the Philippines, a budding economic relationship with Vietnam and a long-term interest in improving strategic ties with India,” the report said.

Beijing and Hanoi in particular are embroiled in an increasingly heated territorial row, the latest chapter of which was sparked by China’s positioning of a major oil rig in waters claimed by Vietnam.

Across the nations surveyed, excluding China, 49 per cent of people expressed a favourable opinion of China, compared to 32 per cent unfavourable.

Two-thirds or more of those surveyed in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia voiced a favourable overall opinion of China. A majority also held positive views in Thailand and South Korea. In Europe, the only country that generally viewed China more favourably than not was Britain.

Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam — three countries that have territorial disputes with China — see Beijing as the greatest threat.

Every Asian nation surveyed, except China, Malaysia and Pakistan, considers the US its top ally. However, Indonesia also sees America as its greatest threat, as does China, Malaysia and Pakistan.

The survey also found gathering perception that the global balance of power is shifting away from the US towards China.

Among those polled, 40 per cent said they believe the US was the world’s present-day superpower, compared with 49 per cent who said so in 2008.

The number who considered China the leading superpower, meanwhile, rose from 19 per cent six years ago to 31 per cent today.

Respondents also felt China’s growing economy presents opportunities, with 53 per cent saying this is a good thing for their own country, while just 27 per cent said it is a bad thing.

The report added that Chinese President Xi Jinping is failing to make much of an impression on people around the world.

While more than 90 per cent of Chinese had confidence in Mr Xi, who assumed the reins of state power last year, that dropped to just 28 per cent in the US and 6 per cent in Japan.

“Mr Xi ... so far has failed to make a strong positive impression on global publics. Overall, ratings for Mr Xi are more negative than positive, while at the same time many are unfamiliar with the Chinese leader,” it said.

Pew surveyed 48,643 respondents in 44 countries from March 17 to June 5. AGENCIES