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China’s soft power

China’s soft power
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China’s soft power. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Patrons sit in front of neon light decorations at the “Soundtrack of Our Lives: Joseph Koo x James Wong x the Rise of Cantopop” exhibition at Tai Kwun in Central, on July 15. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong culture

Opinion | To connect Hong Kong with the world, we must go beyond the superficial

The city’s evolving and intriguing pop culture can be a great source of soft power if its creative economy is developed from the grass-roots.

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China exports

How ‘made in China’ became trendy, thanks to Labubu toy’s Asia-wide success

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China economy

Opinion | With visa-free initiative, China is betting on a simple truth

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Japan

Opinion | Japan’s soft power renaissance will help it attract the talent it needs

Japan’s enduring appeal should give it the confidence to move away from cautious foreign policy and act to build bridges around the world.

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Visitors walk past restaurants in a popular tourist area next to the rail tracks in the Ueno district of central Tokyo on November 17. Photo: AFP
China's economic recovery

Why has Shandong been given a key role in Beijing’s soft power push?

Economic powerhouse renowned for its mountains, coastline and cultural heritage aspires to expand its global influence.

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Education

Being Chinese | In US vs Chinese soft power, guess how children are voting?

As children around me get sucked into the rabbit hole of Disney, Marvel and Netflix, I wonder about the reach of Chinese culture.

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Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong story best told through honest and open discussions

Talks in Britain and Spain by Financial Secretary Paul Chan brought much-needed direct engagement with political and business sectors in both countries.

Hong Kong’s finance chief Paul Chan (left) meets with the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, in London on September 26. Photo: ISD handout
Science

What time is it on the moon? China and the US are racing to decide

The space rivals are spearheading separate initiatives to create time standards that will be used to coordinate international lunar missions.

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South China Sea

Is China downplaying ‘restrained’ clash with fishermen near Paracel Islands?

Vietnam says Chinese personnel boarded a local fishing boat on Sunday and beat the crew with iron bars, seriously injuring four of them.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Can China football find success in a market-driven US model?

Creating a college sports system in China could fix the country’s struggles in team sports and open new avenues for US-China cooperation.

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Goalkeeper Wang Dalei looks on during China’s 2026 Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers match against Saudi Arabia in Dalian, in northeast Liaoning province, on September 10. China’s top-down approach to sports development has brought widespread success in individual sports but little in popular team sports such as football and basketball. Photo: Xinhua
Diplomacy

Inside Out | China-Africa summit a fitting showcase of Global South’s rise

The deals sealed and friendships renewed at FOCAC summit underline China’s role as a prime force of global power rebalancing.

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African leaders applaud Chinese President Xi Jinping after his speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 5. Photo: AP
Chinese culture

Editorial | Younger generation spreads China culture from the ground up

The runaway success of Black Myth: Wukong has prompted analysts to praise it as a lift for cultural confidence that could advance Beijing’s soft-power agenda.

Diplomacy

Opinion | China’s soft power is making its mark as US doubles down on military might

While the US seems focused on military alliances, Beijing is holding out a vision of economic collaboration and trust between civilisations.

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China technology

My Take | Black Myth: Wukong is a learning moment in soft power

There will always be fans and haters. Learn to step back, relax and let your supporters defend and fight for you.

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A poster of the video game Black Myth: Wukong in Hangzhou, China. Photo: Xinhua
Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Xi praises China’s Olympians for winning ‘glory for the country and people’

President Xi Jinping meets country’s athletes at event in Beijing and says they won with ‘morality and integrity’.

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Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Li Xi and Han Zheng meet with China’s Olympic delegation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua
My Take

My Take | Can China present a ‘credible, lovable and respectable’ image to the world?

The country may be counting on support from the Global South but concern about Beijing’s behaviour is not just confined to the West.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong plays key role in promoting Taiwan’s reunification, top official says

In first visit by head of United Front Work Department since 2015, Shi Taifeng says ‘one country, two systems’ instrumental in rejoining Taiwan with motherland.

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China-Asean relations

Letters | China’s reform plan holds promise for Southeast Asia

Readers discuss the benefits of China’s reform push, the growing buzz around boys’ love, and Hong Kong’s property market.

A man arranges durians at a stall in Kuala Lumpur. China’s reforms are expected to stimulate economic growth, and stronger economic performance in China typically results in higher demand for Malaysian exports. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Can China’s charm offensive revive ties with central and eastern Europe?

Beijing attempts to woo Balkan and Central European countries, but faces scepticism over Russia relations and stalled cooperation mechanism.

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Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Olympic hangover begins, with China and Hong Kong eyeing greater success in LA

The morning after night before brings realisation that preparations for the 2028 Games cannot start too soon, while hosts France face return of domestic woes swept under rug two weeks ago.

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United States

US-China sister-city project, meant to build bridges, targeted as countries spar

After a state law in Indiana barred new partnerships, two cities with ties to Xiangyang take opposite approaches.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
China economy

Opinion | China’s tourism policy must now go beyond visa-free travel

China must make it easier for foreigners to experience the country and citizens to travel abroad if it wants to reconnect with the world.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Fame and celebrity

Letters | Like it or not, Chinese ‘boys’ love’ fiction is popular in the West

Readers discuss the resilience of an officially frowned-upon genre, Hong Kong’s bilingual culture, and neon signs.

Diplomacy

Opinion | China could tell its story better by telling the whole story, warts and all

The most compelling stories are the human ones. China must allow books and films that don’t always portray it in glowing terms.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Want Americans to care about Chinese history? Emphasise their role in it

While US interest in China’s ancient artefacts may be limited, more Americans might care if the narrative includes their efforts to return lost relics.

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Staff members check the condition of ancient Chinese artefacts at a handover ceremony at the Chinese Consulate General in New York City on April 17. The US has played a useful role in the return of Chinese artefacts to China. Photo: Xinhua
Malaysia

Asian Angle | Chinese community still fiercely Malaysian despite pride in China’s rise

The local Chinese community has forged a cultural identity with traits that are distinctly Malaysian, even as re-Sinicisation becomes a contentious issue.

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Students create a long scroll in Kelang, Selangor state, Malaysia, in January to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Panda fever hits Washington’s National Zoo early, as does donation drive

Zoo will pay US$1 million a year to a China wildlife group, with aim of raising US$25 million to ‘secure a future’ for the bears in nation’s capital.

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Tourism

Barrier to entry at China’s museums may translate to tourism losses

Visitors who cannot pre-book through Chinese apps – requiring a WeChat account and ability to read Chinese – are locked out of many attractions. These obstacles may affect China’s soft power abroad as well as tourism, say analysts.

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