Construction Of China's Soft Power In Asean

ASEAN region is one of important part of China’s foreign chess game. The Southeast area countries and China are closely link in regard of politics, economic, culture and security. Since China and ASEAN established their diplomatic relationship in1991, bilateral relation between China and ASEAN has been getting closer and closer. Particularly after the1997Asian Financial Crisis, China ASEAN cooperation has witnessed significant progress, which brings the bilateral relationship to the highest degree ever. Today, China’s influence in ASEAN is growing. This influence is not only the impact of China’s hard power but also its soft power. Soft power has become an important part of China foreign policy and receives more and more attention. The growing China’s influence in the Southeast Asian region has been the focus of attention of international public, particularly the academia. China has deployed a very effective and successful strategy of soft power toward ASEAN. Recently, due to the impact of the "China threat theory", China has brought up a new concept of "harmonious world" in its foreign policy towards neighboring countries, in which the soft power prong has been an important component. In this essay, the author analyze China’s influence in ASEAN countries, in terms of soft power. Firstly, the author aims to introduce the rationale for choosing this research topic, the significance of the research as well as a general review on the academic works, in China as well as in the world, in this field. This part also presents the research methodology. Secondly, the author presents a background on definition and theory of soft power, definition and the relation between soft power and hard power. Next, the author focus on the importance and necessity of soft power in China’s policy as well as the current development and some challenges that China is facing when pursuing this soft power strategy. Lastly, the author analyze the current implementation achievements and obstacles of China’s soft power of in the ASEAN region. The role of China’s Soft power in ASEAN region is positive, effective but it also need to improve in some ways.