Cultural Diplomacy in China’s Foreign Policy

Abstract

Diplomacy is no longer constrained by the parameters of traditional political negotiation and economic involvement in the complex world of international relations, as it has evolved to adopt culture as a strategic aspect of international influence. This transformation can be seen in foreign policy of China as well as it has been incorporating cultural diplomacy in its overall soft power policy to enhance its influence in the world and to further its geopolitical interests. This article discusses how China uses culture as a foreign policy tool to propagate a message of harmony, cooperation and modernization. The main objective of this article is to highlight how cultural diplomacy works as a form of persuasion, legitimacy-making and image-building for China. Drawing on the ideas of constructivism and soft power theory and based on a qualitative and interpretive methodology, the article utilizes academic sources alongside governmental documents and official discourse to show how culture is used as a means of communication and as a policy tool. It is suggested that cultural diplomacy is a part of China’s foreign policy, aimed at projecting a positive image, bolstering international presence, and presenting an alternative vision of the international engagement. It also touches upon how emerging powers use cultural instruments to reorganize the hierarchies of the world, redefine the principles of international legitimacy, and gain power in a globalized world.

Keywords: Cultural Diplomacy, China’s Foreign Policy, Soft Power, Confucius Institutes, Global Perception, Constructivism, image making