· Although debates over Chinese soft power have increased in
recent years, there is no shared definition of what ‘soft power’
actually means. The definition seems to change depending on
what the observer wants to argue.
· External analyses of soft power often include a focus on
economic relations and other material (hard) sources of power
and influence.
· Many Chinese analyses of soft power focus on the promotion of a
preferred (positive) understanding of China’s interests and
identities overseas.
· Unpacking broad and inclusive definitions of soft power allows for
the identification of different types and sources of power including
national image promotion, normative power promotion and
‘imagined power’.
· China’s emergence as an alternative economic partner seems to
be the major source of attraction for other developing states,
though it remains difficult to separate hard material factors from
softer attraction to values and world-views
