Chinese citizens believe corruption is the biggest problem hurting the nation's image, a recent survey has found.

A poll conducted by the Beijing-based Global Times newspaper and the Horizon Research Consultancy Group showed nearly 60 percent of respondents viewed corruption among government officials as the biggest stain on China's image, followed by counterfeit and shoddy goods and pollution.

A total of 1,350 people in five major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, were surveyed by telephone in December 2009.