Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with tech executives at 8th US-China Internet Industry Forum in Seattle, Sept 23, 2015. [Photo by Lao Jiang/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

However, Shi Yinhong, a professor at the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, said the participants' views may be "naive", adding that China's growing global influence has been accompanied by rising challenges, including slowing economic growth, the South China Sea issue and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding security matters, the respondents viewed Russia as China's most important partner.