China’s Soft Power Policies and Strategies: The Cultural Activist State

‘Soft power’ has become a popular concept in Chinese political discourse, frequently appearing in government documents, academic discussions and the mainstream media. This article defines soft power as a form of state activism through culture – and examines the ongoing discourses at home and abroad on China’s soft power in transition, exploring the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of China exerting soft power in the West. The paper starts with an exploration of China’s embrace of the concept soft power as a strategic compass for its efforts to enhance comprehensive national capabilities. It then investigates the obstacles that China hitherto has encountered when building and implementing soft power. Through reviewing China’s soft power assets and liabilities, the paper suggests that Chinese soft power strategies should be performed on the basis of humanitarian values, pacifistic policies, multilateral cooperation, and multiculturalism. In addition, the implementation of China’s soft power strategies in the West will be more effective if nongovernmental bodies can be allowed more institutional space.