The positive image of its culture, its huge economic growth, and the appeal of its development model to some states are some of the positive features which create opportunities for China. However, it also has limitations on its public diplomacy and soft power; the international concerns over its growing power, the human rights record, legitimacy, and authoritarianism (a problem mainly for the West). China’s public diplomacy efforts have included people to people diplomacy through Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and pro-China associations, exchanges, media and broadcasting, as well as development aids (which, unlike some Western aid, might not have conditions for the aid receiver...). Some authors state that China’s goal has been to portray itself as a model of social and economic success and also build stronger international alliances, and that its efforts to improve its image have to some extent been successful. According to some, this has been thanks to China’s less confrontational and more sophisticated and constructive approach towards the practice of public diplomacy. (Zhang, 2008: 304-307)
However, as we can see, the view that China’s influence on the world is a positive one has decreased considerably since 2005. (BBC World Service poll) (The percentage increased in 2008 when China held the Olympic Games)
Issues regarding human rights and domestic censorship might have something to do with these figures, and whether China may be perceived to be portraying itself as it would like to be, rather than what it actually is. The imprisonment of Liu Xiaobo, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and China persuading states not to attend the ceremony, would indicate that China has a long way to go if it is to be seen in a positive light by foreign (Western) audiences.
Zhang, J., “Making Sense of the Changes in China’s Public Diplomacy: Direction of Information Flow and Messages”, Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/8626041.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11974612
(Both web pages accessed on 13/04)
I really enjoyed this blog entry; I think that one of the main issues with the Chinese public diplomacy is that its governmental policies are not a true reflection of what they are trying to portray in their public diplomacy efforts. As a result, international audiences get conflicting behaviour and information by the Chinese communist party. On one hand, the information disseminated promotes the undoubtedly rich Chinese historical and cultural heritage. On the other hand, there is also credible evidence of the human rights abuses and the oppressive nature of the Chinese government. In consequence, these actions erode the positive image audiences could have towards China.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, the Chinese government is failing to understand that state controlled public diplomacy efforts lack credibility particularly among western audiences. Such audiences are aware that these sorts of public diplomacy initiatives generally have a political agenda, hence decreasing their success. China’s image will continue to deteriorate as long as their domestic policies do not promote a genuine change among its own population. This involves improving human rights, better distribution of wealth, and introducing greater democratic values into their society.
This is a good review of China's PD, and I agree that the country faces many problems ralated to its domestic policies which undermine China's PD. However it must be acknowledged that China is doing quite well in terms of PD compared to many other developing countries. In fact I think that when assessing China it must be beared in mind that the country is in a transition period, it is growing fastly and dynamic changes are occurring. People within the country are getting aware of what is going on, and despite the government is forcefully trying to crub it, people are intended to bring about some kind of changes.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, given that there is a kind of struggle between the government and the Chinese people, I think that China is doing quite well in promoting its image at the international level. However I am well aware that this is propaganda and that words often do not portay reality, but this is probably the rule of the game of PD.