Better images

The Harvard report showed that Chinese grassroots officials were viewed as kind and knowledgeable problem solvers who were concerned with the difficulties of ordinary people and not just talking about them. They were far less likely to be beholden to the wealthy or concerned about their own interests, the survey found.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences report also said 80 percent of respondents believed that all or most of the problems reported to the government could be solved, that officials were fair in handling subsistence allowances, and it was easier for them to interact with the government.

Zhang, from Wuhan University, said the Party is made up of individual members and grassroots officials. Party members had demonstrated a good image to the public through their efficient and orderly work, despite risks and pressure.

He said residents in Wuhan had formed a stronger bond with community staff members who cared for residents, especially senior citizens who live alone.

"When my university campus was quarantined last year, volunteers who are Party members worked on the front line. They patrolled the campus, delivered meals and daily necessities to residents," he recalled.

"The Party won the hearts of the people because of its people-centered philosophy; governing for, and depending on the people," Zhang said. "The Chinese people are increasingly aware that the Party cares about their interests, which is different from many political parties in the West."

In March, while responding to a question regarding ruling legitimacy in China during a video interview, Elizabeth J. Perry, the Henry Rosovsky Professor of Government at Harvard University and Director of the Harvard-Yenching Institute, said that the only people who can really answer the question are the Chinese people themselves. Legitimacy is a right to rule and it's the people who decide whether their government has a right to rule, she said.

All of the public opinion polls which have asked Chinese people how they feel about various policies and government at different levels have, in general, come back with "a very rosy picture", she said.

"They (Chinese people) seem to feel on the whole satisfied that their government is basically looking out for the interests of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation," she said.