Critically Analyse the Role of "Soft Power" in China's Rise

Abstract

The concept of soft power was put forward by Nye in the 1990s and soon became popular in China. In 2007, the concept of "national cultural soft power" emerged and was elevated to the level of national strategy. This article argues that cultural soft power is only one aspect of soft power. Under the background of the new era, soft power is no longer limited to the cultural field, but has the tendency to expand to the economy, society, health and other fields. China has begun to attach importance to the role of soft power in all aspects, especially through policy. China's policy behaviour of actively providing international public goods supports this view.