A survey has found Australians continue to have warm feelings toward Great Britain, Germany and the United States, but rate their feelings toward China and Indonesia as not so hot.

Around 1,000 Australians were surveyed by the Lowy Institute for International Policy for its 2013 report on Australian attitudes on countries and foreign policy.

The survey found that most respondents expressed cooling sentiments towards China but support the economic relationship with the country.

It found 48 per cent of Australians believe the US relationship is the most important, while 37 per cent believe the relationship with China is paramount.

Sixty-one per cent of people believe China will eventually replace the United States as the world's leading superpower, and 12 per cent say it already has.

The survey also found 41 per cent of respondents believe China will become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years.

Lowy Institute executive director Dr Michael Fullilove says the feelings on China are significant.

"Australians have a basket of mixed feelings on China. Some are positive others not so positive," he said.

"Australians overwhelmingly support the US alliance and place a higher value on Australia's relationship with the United States than with China.

"They are wary about China but aware of its importance to Australia's economic future."

Dr Fullilove has concluded Australians want to have it both ways on China.

On a ranking of feelings towards 19 countries China came in 14th position, with Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, the United States, Singapore and Japan on the top of the table and Indonesia, Israel, Myanmar, Iran and North Korea at the bottom.

Australians 'ambivalent' towards Indonesia

On feelings towards near neighbour Indonesia, Australians surveyed indicated a lukewarm response.

Asked to rate on a temperature scale from zero to 100 degrees (zero meaning cold feelings and 100 warm feelings) they rated their feelings towards Indonesia at 53.

Report author Alex Oliver says the result on Indonesia has been steady over recent years.

"The survey highlights an ambivalent view on Indonesia," he said.

"On one hand Australian feels they have done a good job and been a good neighbour but they don't feel that Indonesia has been a good neighbour."

Ms Oliver says Australians appear to lack knowledge on Indonesia.

The survey found that only 33 per cent of respondents believe Indonesia is a democracy

Dr Fullilove says it is striking that such a small percentage of people know the country is a democracy.

"It is apparent Australians have not absorbed the recent changes in Indonesia, many of which are good," he said.

The survey also found feelings toward Papua New Guinea and Fiji had dropped by four points.

On voter attitudes towards foreign policy issues, the survey found in favour of the Opposition by a margin of two to one.

The majority of those surveyed believed the Coalition would do a better job on foreign policy issues such as managing the economy, foreign investment, asylum seekers, the US alliance and national security.