COMPARATIVE FOREIGN POLICY OF NORTHEAST ASIA

China’s Soft Power

February 29, 2012 Activity

Group members
Adorable, Cristina G.
Abulencia, Bea Alexandrina
Aricayos Maria Roselle Ann
Arzaga Cj
Bobis, Mikkaela
Flores Janelle
Juguilon Mary Angela

Prof. Jan Vincent Galas

 March 01, 2012

February 29 Class workshop

Instructions:
1. Form a group of 5-7 people
2. Based from the individual output before, share and discuss the following concepts:
1. Soft power
2. China’s construed concept of soft power
3. Popularity of soft power in China
3. Focus Questions:
1. What are things that your group knows about the 3 concepts mentioned above?

Soft power is the new power popular today in the globalized world. Some conflate soft
power with investment and economic development but according to Elizabeth
Economy, it is often through education, culture and diplomacy.

China's own musings of soft power is to rise through peaceful means. They are highly
focusing on cultural development and actively participating in conducting cultural
exchanges with foreign countries. In this kind of way their influences grows rapidly and
they are now exercising soft power.

China uses their soft power to develop their economy and promote the Asian nation.
They tend to dump their products to other countries for their own benefit and interest.

2. What are the things that your group does not know about the 3 concepts mentioned
above? What are the hindrances from acquiring information about these things?

The group is incapable as of the moment and curious as well as to the limitations of soft
power. Can it be considered powerful in the way that it can stop or prevent a conflict?
Can soft power infringe sovereignty? Is it possible that in the future, soft power will be
transformed into hard power considering that it is a new emerging concept?

Regarding China’s construed concept of soft power, the group does not know whether
there are differences in China’s implementation of soft power in different States and
whether soft power reflects the teachings of Lao Tzu, Mencius and Sun Tzu.

Some hindrances of acquiring information on the concept may be because of the limited
information gathered on the topic. The topic is relatively new and therefore, not much
had studied it. The focus on China’s soft power is also limited given that China, being a
former communist, has the tendency to control its information towards its favour.

3. Why is it important to study the above mentioned concepts

The concepts are important because they are timely. The idea is the new trend of the
multi- polar international scene. By seeing the advantages and disadvantages of the
 concept, a state is able to put it to better use. We can use it as guide for the country’s
success and development.

Since our sources are just interpretations of China’s soft power, we can do further
research for more accurate explanations.

There are also a number of changes in world politics stand out as especially
transformative forces elevating the utility of soft power relative to hard power. It is
important to understand them all to be able to catch up with the new order.

Soft power can be wielded not just by states, but by all actors in international politics,
such as NGOs or international institutions, that’s why everyone shoul have a knowledge
about this concepts.

4. In a short bond paper, discuss the highlights of your group workshop. Include at least 3
documentary photos. (Use your cell phone camera) Email it to janvincentgalas@gmail.com the
next day, Feb 29, 2012. Scanned copies (saved as a .pdf file) or typewritten output would do.
ACTION PHOTOS
“Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work,
a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
-Vince Lombardi