Germany's Public Diplomacy In Southeast Asia After The Cold War

Southeast Asia,rich in natural resources,is located at the intersection of the Pacific and Indian Oceans,connecting Asia and Oceania.It connects several major shipping routes and is the first choice for labor-intensive industries.Since the Cold War,the geostrategic importance of Southeast Asia has grown.It has become a pawn in a global game of chess between the major powers.In order to expand influence in the region and maximize its national interests,Germany uses public diplomacy to exert and enhance its soft power.This paper employs three theoretical models in cross-cultural communication(the cognitive,the behavioral,and the understanding)to analyze the main aspects of German public diplomacy towards Southeast Asia.This involves paying attention to improving people's livelihood,focusing on improving young people's impression of Germany,and taking seriously the two-way interaction with civil society.Although intercultural communication is a new subject,it has a solid theoretical basis and strong applicability.The analysis of the application of three models of intercultural communication in German public diplomacy will help China to recognize its own public diplomacy shortcomings.As one of the disseminators of Western values,Germany has played an active role in Southeast Asia,which has developed a special geostrategic relationship with China in recent years.And this will inevitably have an important impact on China's public opinion and foreign relations.In this regard,China needs to clarify the factors influencing Germany's choice of public diplomacy strategy in Southeast Asia.These factors are: first,to expand the potential market and compete for cheap labor in Southeast Asia;second,to raise its voice in the world and meet its demand for the status of being a big country;third,to balance China's expanding influence in the region,so as to maintain its economic competitiveness and resist China's political system;fourth,to support the two main pillars of Germany's foreign policy,namely,growth of the European Union and cross-Atlantic relations.In recent years,cooperation between China and ASEAN countries in the fields of economy,trade,politics and security has developed rapidly,and bilateral relations have made historic breakthroughs.However,in the face of the “China Threat Theory,” the public opinion offensive launched by the West and the increasing influence of public opinion on Southeast Asian government decision-making,it is necessary for China to resolve any misunderstandings Southeast Asian people may have through public diplomacy and by creating an atmosphere conducive to good public opinion in the region.The successful practice of cross-cultural communication models in German public diplomacy is relevant for China.German practice includes caring about people's livelihood to minimize their psychological uncertainty;laying stress on training young people with strong communication ability in Southeast Asia;and building an interactive platform between the transmitter and accepter.Drawing lessons from Germany's experience will help China to plan diplomatic activities that are conducive to shaping the country's image,so as to deepen good neighborly and friendly cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.