China’s Soft Power Diplomacy: Winning Hearts Through Cultural and Educational Exchange Programs in Southeast Asia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51872/prjah.vol8.Iss1.453Keywords:
Soft Power, Public Diplomacy, Cultural and Educational Exchanges, China, Southeast AsiaAbstract
This research analyses how China is pursuing its foreign policy objectives by means of soft power diplomacy. Educational and cultural exchanges have become essential part of foreign policy objectives of many states. The cultural and educational exchange programs promote people-to-people contacts and enhance regional integration. Southeast Asia, due to its geostrategic assets – economically significant waterways, underwater natural gas reserves, and about a tenth of global annual fish catch is the major goal for many major powers these days. Southeast Asia is as important to China as is for other major powers, since China’s geographical proximity to the region collaborates with its “Open Door” policy and establishment of a “good neighbour” strategy. To win hearts and minds of people worldwide, China has employed education exchange programs along with other public diplomacy tools as the effects of soft power are long-term and seemingly intangible. The higher education and teaching language in other countries have become major soft power projection tools in 21st century. The students’ mobility abroad supports in showcasing the culture, values and ideas of a state and in enhancing its image regionally and globally.
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