Chinese Soft Power and Its Implications for the United States

Book excerpt: China in recent years has been pursuing its national interests through its exercise internationally of soft power and economic power as it projects nonconfrontational, friendly diplomacy to states in developing regions. Using its soft-power projection to promote its own national interests, China has not sought to replace or supplant the United States in its role of security provider in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, or Latin America. U.S. policymakers must recognize China's objectives of maintaining its own internal stability and economic growth as they craft policies to ensure the United States promotes its own policies effectively. The United States can do more to collaborate with China in the developing world, particularly in the areas of energy, health, agriculture, and peacekeeping. If such collaboration were to take place, both nations would find themselves working toward a great global public good.