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The rise of China’s soft power
Explore how China wields soft power through language, media and culture, reshaping global perceptions and narratives.
Updated: 14 Aug, 2026
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[1]
‘Huge shift’: why learning Mandarin is losing its appeal in the West
Available figures suggest enthusiasm is waning after years of rapid growth, with analysts pointing to China’s economy and image problems.
20 Jul, 2025
[2]
War of the words: why top US diplomat Rubio is lost in China’s translations
Linguistic, cultural and political differences make interpretation difficult, but analysts also point to factors like the target audience.
28 May, 2025
[3]
Labubu, soft power of a stealthy ‘ugly-cute’ sort, takes on America
The Chinese-made dolls, a playful global megahit, give Beijing an opportunity to make inroads into deep US distrust.
24 Jul, 2025
[4]
Palace intrigue conquers global screens: has China cast its new soft power?
As overseas fans binge on Chinese hit streaming shows, slick productions could boost country’s image on the global stage, experts say.
29 Jun, 2025
[5]
‘Own the story’: China urged to control its narrative to counteract the West
Discourse power has become a key arena of international competition, according to experts in Chinese politics, media and party ideology.
29 Jul, 2025
[6]
International Museum Day: how China is aiming for cultural superpower status
While investment in cultural heritage is declining in the US and other countries, the ‘unique’ Chinese model is flourishing, observers said.
18 May, 2025
[7]
China think tanks must be ‘self-centred’ to project nation’s soft power: expert
Leading Chinese scholar Zheng Yongnian says policy adviser groups should be based on a practical ‘indigenous knowledge system’.
13 Jul, 2025
[8]
‘Confident’ China should relax grip on cultural, information exchange: academic
Too many Chinese scholars fail to properly engage with their overseas peers, leading to worsening decoupling, professor warns.
20 Oct, 2024
[9]
By toy or tea, some China retailers still see US as path to profit
More offline mainland brands are placing big bets on American consumers despite bilateral tensions and weak investor sentiment.
30 Jun, 2025
[10]
Why Wang Yi’s message to Marco Rubio may have been lost in translation
There has been much discussion about how to interpret an idiom used by China’s foreign minister in talks with the US secretary of state.
28 Jan, 2025
[11]
China launches plan to improve TV and mini-dramas amid soft power push
Beijing calls for more micro-dramas, documentaries, animations and foreign programmes, along with better copyright protections.
19 Aug, 2025
[12]
Can China’s hugely popular mini dramas find success in the US?
Gripping series themes spanning romance to revenge have lured investors with their low costs, speedy turnarounds and fast pay-offs.
21 Aug, 2025
[13]
VIP, APP, PPT: Are English abbreviations harming China’s cultural confidence?
Commentators worry that loanwords are becoming too common, especially for new tech, leaving no space for Chinese to grow.
04 Aug, 2026
[14]
‘Ghosts of the 20th century’: how China and Japan clash over post-WWII narrative
In quest to win trust of Asian neighbours, Beijing is intensifying its rhetoric against Tokyo’s changing defence posture.
07 Aug, 2026
[15]
Chinese vloggers are taking to YouTube to ‘set the record straight’
Videos documenting daily life in big cities, small towns and villages are aimed at overseas viewers and emphasise authentic perspectives.
09 Aug, 2026
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[16]
China challenges Western ‘tribute system’ theory in push for narrative control
Article by US billionaire investor Ray Dalio puts spotlight back on English term used to describe Chinese diplomatic and economic posture.
10 Aug, 2026
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