Updated on Friday, April 25, 2008, 00:00 IST

Ottawa, April 25: A majority of Canadians (67 per cent) believe the influence of China and India in the world will rival that of the United States within the next decade according to a survey.

As well, more than 60 per cent of Canadians believe the growing importance of China and India as economic powers are more of an opportunity for Canada than a threat, according to the Angus Reid poll conducted on Thursday.

Some 36 per cent of the 2,659 respondents said China holds the most potential for Canadian exports, compared to 28 per cent for the United States, Canada's largest trading partner.

Yet only 18 per cent of Canadians believe that imported foods from China are safe.

Sixty-six per cent of Canadians also said China's growing military might is a threat to the Asia Pacific region, compared to 10 per cent two years ago.

And only 37 per cent believe China's human rights situation has improved over the past decade, down from 63 per cent in a previous survey in 2006.

Some 34 per cent said they believe India is a responsible nuclear power.

Meanwhile, 23 per cent said Asia's contribution to global warming is the most serious threat to Canada's security, more than great power rivalries (20 per cent), failed states (17 per cent), terrorism (12 per cent), or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (11 per cent).

As well, 76 per cent believe Asia's biggest challenge over the next decade will be environmental degradation.

The survey was conducted between March 15-20 for the think-tank Asia Pacific Foundation with a 2.0 per cent margin of error.

Bureau Report