▲ In many Chinese cities, ancient architecture is mixed with modern architecture. In the graphic, the Xi’an Exhibition Park, in Shaanxi province, northwest China.Xinhua photo
Dora Villanueva
Sent
La Jornada Newspaper
Tuesday, November 26, 2024, p. 15
Beijing. Rooted in a history of 5 thousand years, Chinese culture has taken on a new complexion. Not only does it advance in niches that have allowed it to enter new export markets, but it has also become a way of representing the diversity of this country beyond the geopolitical narratives that predominate in the West.
He soft power Chinese is taking off. According to a working document from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in which data from 66 countries are analyzed for the period 2007-2021, it is the fourth nation with the best soft power indicators, only below South Korea, Japan and Germany.
In past decades, as geopolitical tensions with the United States escalated, no country like China has improved in soft power (a reference attributed to Joseph Nye Jr to distinguish the ability of a nation to influence others through attraction, instead of coercion or payment).
The study divided soft power into six categories covering economic attractiveness, cultural presence, digital capabilities, educational influence, global reach and institutional strength.
He explains that the UK used to have a significantly higher level of soft power than China. However, this changed a couple of decades ago.
China’s soft power went from 0.70 in 2004 to 1.17 in 2021, while that of the United Kingdom decreased from 1.32 to 0.85 in the same period.
The IMF details that soft power among the countries analyzed ranges between a minimum of -0.59 points for the Dominican Republic, above which are Algeria (-0.55), the Philippines (-0.53) and Azerbaijan (-0.47). On the opposite side, South Korea leads, with a maximum of 1.68 in the measurement, followed by Japan (1.25), Germany (1.18) and China (1.17).
Overtakes Japan on a second stopover
A different methodology, Brand Finance’s Global Soft Power Index 2024 published in February 2024, puts China in third place above Japan and Germany and below the United States and the United Kingdom. However, it highlights that the socialist power had the greatest improvement of any nation on this year’s list, with an advance of 6.2 points.
Culture as a kind of soft power is often first referred to in the speech that then-President Hu Jintao gave in 2007 during the 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.
The great revitalization of the Chinese nation must be accompanied by the flourishing of its culture. It is up to us to bring into full play the role of subject that the people play in cultural construction and to deploy the enthusiasm of the numerous cultural workers, to promote with greater awareness and initiative the broad development and prosperity of culture and to undertake creations in the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, making the people share the achievements of cultural development.
Seven years later, President Xi Jinping revisited the idea, emphasizing a good Chinese narrative and better communicating China’s message to the world. The great geopolitical struggle of our time is China/United States, and at that point, part of the narratives go through the historical baggage of each country. The American one as a young nation, with around 200 years of existence, and on the other hand the Asian one, which was founded in one of the ancient empires, explains José Antonio Cervera, director of the Center for Asian and African Studies at El Colegio de Mexico.
Also in a talk with The DayLiljana Arsovska, from the same study center, explains that until a few decades ago the People’s Republic of China had little connection with what happened before 1959. Now, the researcher maintains, there is a kind of great mission to rescue history for all levels in order to generate ideological narrative for the present and the future.
**How does the program use expert testimony to construct a narrative about China’s rise as a global influencer?** This question encourages analyzing the program’s use of authority figures (Dr. Cervera and Ms. Arsovska) and how their perspectives shape the audience’s understanding of China’s soft power.
## World Today News: The Rise of Chinese Soft Power
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of soft power and exploring the rise of China as a global influencer. We’re joined by two esteemed guests: Dr. José Antonio Cervera, Director of the Center for Asian and African Studies at El Colegio de Mexico, and Liljana Arsovska, also from El Colegio de Mexico, specializing in Chinese history and culture.
**Introduction**
**Host:** Let’s begin by setting the stage. Dora Villanueva’s article in La Jornada highlights the remarkable ascent of China’s soft power. Dr. Cervera, according to the IMF study cited, China ranks fourth globally in soft power, surpassing even the United Kingdom in recent years. Could you elaborate on what factors contributed to this dramatic shift?
**Dr. Cervera:**
**(Answering the question, highlighting aspects like economic rise, cultural diplomacy initiatives, technological advancements, and potentially the changing global landscape.)**
**Host:** Ms. Arsovska, your work focuses on China’s historical narrative. How has the country’s historical consciousness contributed to shaping its soft power strategy?
**Ms. Arsovska:**
**(Addressing the connection between China’s ancient history, its cultural revival efforts, and the construction of a national narrative, potentially mentioning Confucian values or specific policies.)**
**Section 1: Cultural Influence**
**Host:** The article mentions President Hu Jintao’s 2007 speech emphasizing the importance of culture in national revitalization. How has this vision translated into concrete actions and cultural diplomacy strategies?
**Dr. Cervera:**
**(Discussing examples of China’s cultural export initiatives, Confucius Institutes, film and television productions, and efforts to promote Chinese language learning globally.)**
**Host:** Ms. Arsovska, the article suggests a “great mission to rescue history” in contemporary China. What specific historical figures or events are being emphasized, and how does this resonate with audiences both domestically and internationally?
**Ms. Arsovska:**
**(Elaborating on historical figures like Confucius, emperors, or significant events highlighted by the Chinese government. Discussing the intended impact on national identity and global perception.)**
**Section 2: Competing Narratives on the Global Stage**
**Host:** The article contrasts China’s historical narrative with that of the United States, a “young nation” with around 200 years of existence.
How do these differing historical narratives influence their respective soft power strategies in the context of an increasingly multipolar world?
**Dr. Cervera:**
**(Discussing the historical baggage of both nations, potential strengths and weaknesses of each narrative, and how they are leveraged in shaping global perceptions.)**
**Host:** Some argue that China’s emphasis on its ancient past could be perceived as a challenge to Western dominance and narratives. How do you see this dynamic playing out, Ms. Arsovska?
**Ms. Arsovska:**
**(Addressing the potential for perceived competition between narratives, highlighting the complexities of intercultural understanding and potential areas of collaboration.)**
**Conclusion**
**Host:** Looking ahead, how do you foresee China’s soft power evolving? What are the potential opportunities and challenges on the horizon?
**Dr. Cervera:**
**(Offering insights into the future trajectory of Chinese soft power, considering factors like technological advancements, changing demographics, and potential geopolitical shifts.)**
**Ms. Arsovska:**
**(Adding a perspective on the importance of cultural exchange, understanding, and managing potential frictions between nations as China’s soft power continues to grow.)**
**Host:**Thank you both for sharing your invaluable insights. This has been a fascinating discussion on the complex and ever-evolving world of soft power.
