In the latest Pew Global Attitudes survey conducted between March 18 and May 15, most of the respondents in 15 out of 22 countries believed that China either will replace or already has replaced the United States as the world's leading superpower, the English language China Daily reported Saturday.

The majority of those surveyed in developing economies, such as Pakistan, Mexico and China, are optimistic that China will replace the United States as the world's dominant power.

That sentiment is also largely shared in Western Europe countries, such as France, Spain, Britain and Germany, all of which report percentages of more than 60 percent seeing China overtaking the US with the highest in France at 72 percent.

Among US respondents, the percentage has increased to 46 percent from 33 percent two years ago, while 45 percent believe China will not replace US.

In April, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also made a similar forecast by saying that the US could lose its status as the world's largest economic power within five years. It predicted that China will overtake the US in 2016.

According to an IMF forecast, China's GDP by purchasing power parity will rise from $11.2 trillion in 2011 to $19 trillion in 2016, while the US economy will increase from $15.2 trillion to $18.8 trillion.

However, despite the bold predictions about China's economic rise, the US is still viewed more positively compared with China.

According to the Pew survey, the median percentage that gave China a favourable rating was 52 percent, eight percentage points lower than the median assessment of the US.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011