China’s Cultural Diplomacy On Its International Image Building Toward The United States

In the era of globalization, international image, as an important part of softpower has led to a new competition among countries. Every national governmentemphasizes on building their own international image by all ways, especially by theway of cultural diplomacy to build international images for achieve their diplomaticgoals and anticipated strategic target. Since the reform and opening up, China’sinternational image has changed from "political China","Economic China “to"cultural China”. President Xi Jinping has emphasized the connection betweencultural diplomacy and international image that requires more attention to strengthChina’s soft power and improve its cultural influence to build a comprehensiveinternational image as a civilization, Eastern, Responsible and Socialist big power.China is positioned in the time that bridges the past and the future, should analyze theprogress of China’s cultural diplomacy and study how to use cultural diplomacy tobuild good international image and provide a better international environment for itsfurther development.In today’s international world, the Sino-U.S. relation has been regarded as themost important bilateral relations: the United States is the only superpower, whileChina, as the rising power, is the largest developing country. There exists extensivecommon interests and inevitable competition between these two countries and henceneed more effective communication. From the prospective of China, it could shape itsinternational image to the United States as objective, amiable, true and credible bycultural diplomacy, which can foster mutual confidence,help achieve China’sdiplomatic objectives and promote bilateral co-operation.This article will systematically analyze and elaborate the characteristics ofChina’s cultural diplomacy to the United States during different periods andaccording to different backgrounds since the reform and opening up. Then it willprovide the suggestions on how to perform cultural diplomacy effectively and how tobuild better international image by summarizing the experience and lessons ofChina’s cultural diplomacy to the United States and seeking ways to improve itsinternational image.