, survey results released Friday show. The survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong's Social Sciences Research Center showed the support rating for Zhu was 75.7 points, 5.2 points ahead of newly elected Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou, who got 70.5, in second place.
It is the fourth time Zhu topped the survey since it was first conducted in February last year. In the past three surveys, Zhu garnered an average support points of 71.3.
The University of Hong Kong surveyed 538 Hong Kong citizens aged above 18 and asked them to rate political figures in China and Taiwan on April 13. Respondents were allowed to give ratings from 0 to 100.
Karie Pang, spokeswoman for the research center, said the surge in the rating for Zhu can be attributed to his good performance during his visit to the United States this week and last.
''We think the main reason for Zhu's continuing popularity is because of his successful trip to the United States. The trip was widely reported by the media, so you may also attribute the big surge in his rate of recognition to that factor,'' she said.
Zhu's recognition rate sharply increased from an average of 77.2% in the past three surveys to the latest 84.6%. His recognition rate surpasses that of Jiang by more than 5 percentage points.
The political figures following Zhu are Ma, Jiang, Qian Qichen, China's vice premier, and former General Secretary Zhao Ziyang.
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