BEIJING — The mainstream social psychology in China is positive, healthy and upbeat despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a survey report unveiled on Feb 2.

Conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics, the survey showed more people were satisfied with their gains from the country's economic and social development, and their living conditions, with the satisfaction-level increasing by 17.8 and 4.2 percentage points, respectively, from the ratio in 2016.

The proportion of respondents who deemed the society "very safe" and "relatively safe" is 20.7 percentage points higher than that in 2016.

The survey that kicked off in September last year was based on questionnaires covering adult residents sampled in 16 provincial-level regions and field research in eight provincial-level regions across China.

In comparison to data from six surveys conducted since 2010, the proportion of people who believe in Marxism has been increasing since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in late 2012, the report showed.

Most respondents said their trust in the CPC Central Committee and their recognition of socialism with Chinese characteristics have enhanced in recent years, the report noted.

Hailing the central authorities' handling of the COVID-19 epidemic, the interviewees called the people-first approach of the Party and the government a heartwarming gesture that inspired the people nationwide.

According to the report, most respondents chose to solve unfair issues they encountered through legal channels, surging 3.7 percentage points from 2016, which indicates constantly improving legal awareness among the public.