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China’s soft power

A 72-metre (236 feet) bronze Confucius statue at the Nishan Sacred Land on Nishan Mountain. Photo: Simon Song

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

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

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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Clocks on Earth and the moon tick at different speeds because of the different gravitational fields. Photo: Shutterstock

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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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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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

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.

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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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

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 | 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 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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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

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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Bulgaria’s foreign minister Svetlan Stoev (centre right) meets Jiang Yu (centre left), China’s special representative for cooperation with central and eastern European countries, in Sofia, Bulgaria on June 25. Photo: Bulgaria Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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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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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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

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.

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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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

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

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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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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Panda diplomacy is back: China sending pair of bears to US by end of 2024

Planned arrival of rare bears at American capital breathes new life into decades-long conservation partnership amid tense Sino-US ties.

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Qing Bao, a Washington-bound female giant panda, eats bamboo in her habitat in Sichuan province in China on May 17. Photo: Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

China’s local governments shut down social media accounts as budgets shrink

Once seen as propaganda tool, agency apps and websites disappear as funding cuts, staff shortages and internet trolls make maintenance a ‘burden’.

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Many local government agencies in China have had to cut contract workers who are typically responsible for updating social media accounts. Photo: Shutterstock

Xi Jinping, his tour over, leaves a Europe split by how to deal with China

The Chinese president upgraded relations with Serbia and Hungary, but in France made few if any concessions to reduce the flood of Chinese imports into the EU.

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Opinion | Contain China? Washington, that ship has sailed

Unlike the Soviet Union in the 1980s, China has a highly diversified economy and capable defences making it unlikely to collapse or be contained. Despite what some pundits in Washington may believe, much of the world would not readily join the US in a war or containment strategy against China

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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
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