Cultural Diplomacy Of The Clinton Administration Towards China

Cultural diplomacy has a long history of development in the United States. Afterthe end of the Cold War, the United States experienced an overall cut in the supportfor its cultural diplomacy, both in terms of fund and staff. However, emphasis ofcultural diplomacy of the United States towards China was strengthened. There weremany causes for this phenomenon: first, theoretical basis; second, cultural ideologicalroots of the United States; and third, a consideration of the international situations.China became the largest socialist country in the world after the disintegration of theSoviet Union and its national strength kept growing. Therefore, it was considered asthe new target of US cultural diplomacy during the Clinton administration. In the1990s, the Clinton administration not only inherited from the former governments, butalso made creations for its cultural diplomacy towards China. At the time, US culturaldiplomatic activities towards China mainly concentrate on three aspects: human rights,international broadcasting and the internet, and educational and cultural exchanges.These activities have exerted great influences on China, both positive and negative. Inrecent years, the Chinese government has put forward the strategic objective of takingChinese culture global and attached much more importance to the development ofChinese culture. It is hoped that through an introduction and analysis of the Clintonadministration’s cultural diplomacy towards China, a correct attitude of China ispointed out and meanwhile a reference is provided for China’s cultural strategies.