China’s propagation of soft power: the Belt and Road Initiative
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) reflects the Chinese government’s goal to promote global development, regional connectivity, and foster economic participation through a major global project on transportation, energy and telecommunication infrastructures. Launched in 2013, it now includes over 140 countries and almost 75% of the world’s population and it has led so far to investments and constructions such as highways in Africa, ports in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and railroads in Southeast Asia. The project can certainly be considered a strategic way to reinforce Chinese soft power through economic investments and cultural diplomacy in the world.
The BRI is divided into two main sub-projects: the Silk Road Economic Belt, which aims to link China to Europe through Central Asia, and the Maritime Silk Road, which will connect China to the rest of Asia, Africa and Europe through sea routes. The core goals are infrastructure development, such as building railways and ports, reducing economic barriers and promoting investments, and strengthening diplomatic relations, tourism, and cultural ties with all the members. So based on principles of cooperation, inclusivity, mutual benefits, and following the market rules, meaning a liberal economy, it has managed to attract countries from low to high income to join this revolutionary project.
In this context, it can be confirmed the use of soft power of the Chinese government: the ability to shape political and cultural perceptions to create consent through persuasion, rather than coercion or force. China is indeed using the BRI to exert influence not only on all the members of the initiative but also it is able to attract external countries through an appealing project of global development, by inviting them to take a jump into one of the biggest global plans of the 21st century. The enormous investments required are indeed leading to a series of benefits to the image and power of China, from a cultural, social, economic, and political point of view. For Instance, by being the initiative leader and major sponsor, China is increasing its diplomatic influence through tourism, to face-to-face interactions with international leaders, and cultural exchanges, building a network not only of high political stakeholders, but also of common citizens from different regions of the word. As these countries are changing the shared notion of China as a closed country, with a government and a culture too distant from the rest, they might grow more inclined to support China’s position on international issues.
If we think about the Confucius Institutes, the perfect example of Chinese public diplomacy strategy, they promote Chinese language, run classes in culture, and calligraphy, but also cook traditional specialties: as of 2024, the BBC counted 548 Confucius Institutes around the world. Although not all countries members of the BRI have such institutes within their national borders, many Southeast Asia and African countries do, which already in the short-term foster connections among Chinese citizens and foreign ones, facilitating mutual understanding and trust. If citizens are the first ones to respect a certain culture and are interested in cultivating it, from a political level governments can only take advantage of the social connection created to build economic and political ties with a Superpower like China.
The Belt and Road Initiative is also propagating China’s soft power by creating long-term partnerships through joint projects, trade agreements, and mutual investments, making sometimes countries economically dependent on China, which can translate into influence. As such, members of the initiative will be more inclined to support the Chinese government in its economic plans and strategies, creating also a greater political alignment.
For instance, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional intergovernmental organization of which countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand are members, has seen the BRI project as very appealing. For those 10 countries members, many of which are developing or emerging economies, Chinese investment opportunities can improve connectivity and economic growth necessary for their development. Also, the economic power of China could offer major loans, and in a shorter time, than the ones they could get from Western countries or the World Bank, enhancing China’s reputation and prestige as their benefactor and global leader in development.
In conclusion, pushing a win-win cooperation, China has managed to attract countries from all over the world to join its initiative of global development, and it has managed to build a positive image among country members, as they get to see China as a beneficial partner rather than a competitor. Overall, the Belt and Road Initiative turned into a strategic tool of soft power which enhanced its global influence from an economic, cultural, and political point of view.
By The World Forum on Peace and Security
