Pumping up the (soft) Power

In the article Soft Power in Chinese Discourse: Popularity and Prospect, Li Mingjiang argues that “a grand Chinese soft power strategy is still in its embryonic phase, despite the painstaking efforts of Chinese strategists to devise various proposals” (1).  Soft power is therefore China’s “weak link” in its comprehensive power, preventing the country from converting its hard power into international influence.  As my studies on public diplomacy have shown thus far, international influence is largely dependent on foreign perceptions.  It is for this reason that Mingjiang insists that China’s recent emphasis on soft power is undergirded by an understanding that “first and foremost, soft power is intended to shape a better perception of China by the outside world” (15).      

The unfolding crisis with North Korea and its missile threats presents a perfect opportunity for China to improve its international image.  China has a unique relationship with North Korea as it is Pyongyang’s sole major ally and aid provider; a role China has held since the 1950-53 Korean War.  As such, China seems to be one of the only countries that can penetrate the threats of nuclear war by North Korea’s young and elusive leader, Kim Jong-Un.  


U.S Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing during their diplomatic talks on the North Korean missile crisis. April 13, 2013. The Washington Post.
 

Although China seems reluctant in using its leverage over North Korea, it has expressed a willingness to work alongside the United States to defuse nuclear tensions on the Korean peninsula during Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent visit to Beijing.Tackling an international crisis in a diplomatic and transparent way, in accordance to mainstream international opinion, is exactly what China must do to enhance its soft power.