These results are based on asking people for a subjective evaluation. Objectively speaking, Americans are still much wealthier than Chinese, and enjoy a much higher standard of living.<p>What's really being revealed by this poll is that it's easier to feel good about your finances when you're upwardly-mobile, and it's not so easy to feel good about your finances when you're downwardly-mobile.
I believe this is because they are lagging behind the US in terms of economic growth story. In fact, I predict that the Chinese will enjoy fewer years of middle class prosperity than the US.