KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 ― Malaysia views China and the US with less affection this year as the two superpowers wrestle for control over Asia, according to the latest survey by Washington-based Pew Research released yesterday.

However, the study by Pew Research showed China still edged out the US in the eyes of Malaysians, who disapprove the western superpower's use of drones in the terrorism fight.

Malaysians too appear less confident with US president Barack Obama than its Asian neighbours.

According to the Global Indicators Survey 2014, 74 per cent of Malaysians viewed China favourably this year, down from 81 per cent previously, putting it the fifth country among 60 in Asia that favour China the most.

In comparison, just 51 per cent of Malaysians favoured the US, making Malaysia the 13th country that do not favour the US the most.

In 2013, 54 per cent of Malaysians favoured the US.

The countries that thought highly of China the most ― besides Malaysia ― were China itself, Pakistan, Tanzania and Bangladesh.

Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan were most unfavourable towards the US, while the Philippines, Israel and the US itself favour it the most.

Among Malaysians, only 54 per cent had confidence in Obama, and 50 per cent felt that the US respect its citizens’ personal freedom.

Only 6 per cent of Malaysians favour the US’ use of attack drones, down from 9 per cent last year.

Similarly, only 54 per cent had confidence in Chinese president Xi Jinping, and 56 per cent felt that China respect its citizens’ personal freedom.

A total of 69 per cent of Malaysians also felt that China’s growing economy is good for Malaysia, down from 84 per cent back in 2007.

While 40 per cent of Malaysians still view the US as the world's leading economic power, the gap with China is narrowing, with 31 per cent now saying the Asian giant is taking the lead.

Even so, 29 per cent of Malaysians said China still has a ways to go before it can overtake the US as a world superpower.

On the other hand, 27 per cent of Malaysians feel China will surpass the US and 11 per cent felt that has already happened.

The Asian dragon's clout is generating anxieties among its neighbours, Pew Research ― which described itself as a “fact tank” ― observed, pointing to concerns over a possible military conflict over territorial disputes, notably in the resource-rich seas of Southeast Asia.

“More than eight-in-ten hold this view in the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam and South Korea. Two-thirds of Americans and 62% of Chinese also say they are concerned,” Pew Research said in its report.

Over 330,000 people were interviewed in 60 countries between March and June this year for the Global Indicators database.

Xi’s administration has seen China trying to exert its dominance in Southeast Asia, with renewed claims over disputed territories.

China and Malaysia’s diplomatic ties had been lukewarm since the Malaysian Airlines flight 370 went missing with mostly Chinese passengers in March 8.

The ties however picked up after US president Obama visited Malaysia in April as part of its “pivot to Asia” policy, becoming the first serving US president to do so since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak went on a six-day visit to China in June to meet Xi and China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

Najib's moves on China has been compared to his father and second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak, who first established bilateral ties with the communist giant.

China had also sent two giant pandas in May to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

China is Malaysia’s biggest trading partner, holding 14 per cent of total trade in 2014 as of May. The US is Malaysia’s fifth biggest, at 7.9 per cent.