Obama’s "Smart Power" Diplomacy In Northeast Asia And Its Impact On Sino-US Relations

This thesis explores the new efforts of Obama Administration in returning to the Northeast Asia, especially at the moment when America is confronting a dilemma both at home and abroad. By analyzing the soft power, hard power and smart power, it concludes that America is attempting to rebuild its image to maintain its influence in this area. The thesis gives particular attention to America’s policies in the Korean Peninsula, Russia, Japan and China and has a special analysis of their impact on the Sino-US relations.The research starts with a conceptual framework by trying to answer such questions as:what are the soft power, the hard power and the smart power? What are the sources of soft power and hard power and their relations? The necessity for using ’’smart power" in the new international environment is discussed in detail. In view of Obama’s high-profile publicity and great efforts on restoring American power in Northeast Asia, it analyses the strategic status of Northeast Asia for America. The research then focuses on the following issues:The retrospect of the relations between America and the Northeast Asian countries; Bush’s unilateral policy "shaped" by anti-terrorism, especially in the Korean Peninsula, which is in contrast to Obama’s "smart power" diplomacy in the Korean Peninsula; Obama’s strengthening of the old alliances at the same time; the progress of the diplomatic relationship between America and Russia under Obama administration. It also discusses the impact of Obama’s foreign policy on the Sino-US relations. As to the relations with China, Obama is inclined to rely on the energy and climate diplomacy so as to build a positive relation between great powers, and is ready to play a major role in resolving the global issues. Finally, it investigates the extension of the soft power diplomacy, such as public diplomacy and NGOs, which is the supplement of Obama’s smart power diplomacy.In contemporary international environment, traditional hard power diplomacy cannot cope with the new crisis in the information age. So "smart power" diplomacy will offer an additional method to American foreign policy. By analyzing the "smart power" diplomacy at Obama administration, this thesis provides researchers with a new perspective of study on rethinking international environment and foreign policy among great countries.