A recently-released global study shows respondents' trust in their government institutions is highest in China.

The research, part of public relations firm Edelman's annual Trust Barometer study, was conducted in 18 markets, surveying 3,100 global opinion leaders. The study looks at which institutions, companies, brands, and sources of information global opinion leaders trust, and what drives that trust.

78% of Chinese respondents said they trust the government to do "what is right," compared to a worldwide average of only 38%. The Netherlands was the only other country surveyed that also indicated more trust in government (66%) than in media, business, NGOs, and religious institutions.

"The government results of the Trust Barometer research are a sign of economic optimism," said Martin Alintuck, managing director, Edelman China. "Many people in China see the government as largely responsible for China's economic success over the past 25 years, and this is reflected in high levels of trust among opinion leaders."

Trust in government was further revealed in respondents' preferences for sources of information. 62% named television news (state-owned) as a credible source of information, a rating higher than any other media. Echoing the results for government institutions, government officials were also rated highly trustworthy. Chinese respondents found them more credible (56%) than did respondents from any other country surveyed.

The global survey also looked at trust in "business in general," with results showing low levels of trust in Europe (45%) and North America (52%). The survey's China results were different, with 67% of respondents rating businesses as "trustworthy." Among businesses, China's trust ratings matched both global and regional findings. Technology companies, which enjoy high levels of trust worldwide, were similarly trusted in China, with a 76% rating. Opinions of energy firms (78%) and banks (75%) mirrored results across the Asia Pacific region.

Nationalism continues to play a role in determining levels of trust worldwide, and China is no exception. Local companies are frequently rated more favorably than their foreign counterparts: Chinese white goods brand Haier enjoyed an 89% trust rating among Chinese respondents, making it one of the country's most trusted enterprises. At the same time, Japanese companies continue to suffer a trust deficit in China. While rising from a low of 35% in 2006, the 2007 survey found that only 44% of Chinese respondents trust Japanese firms.