WASHINGTON - As Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the United States Thursday to meet with President Barack Obama, about 55 percent of US citizens view China as either an ally or a nation friendly to the US, according to a Gallup poll released on Thursday.

According to the poll, about 11 percent of US citizens say China is an ally, while 44 percent say it is a friendly nation. About 40 percent of those interviewed say China is either unfriendly or an enemy.

Gallup said younger US citizens and Democrats are much more likely to see China as a friend to the United States than older US citizens and Republicans. It said US citizens have generally been positive towards China when Gallup has asked this question over the past 13 years.