CHINA’S SOFT POWER DIPLOMACY IN PAKISTAN: CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND MEDIA INFLUENCE IN STRENGTHENING BILATERAL TIES

Abstract

China’s soft power diplomacy in Pakistan has taken a different course than just a few years ago. With the creeping economic and political ties, China’s involvement in building financial, cultural, educational, and media linkages has a key role in cementing ties between the country and the US. Drawing on the discussion above, this paper examines the role of China’s soft power through cultural exchange programs and educational and media engagements in China-Pakistan relations. China’s attempts to foster goodwill and form long-term partnerships are evidenced by the growing interaction of these nations due to Chinese Confucius Institutes and Chinese language programs. Public perception and cultural exchanges have also been influenced by media and were further shaped by media influence on media — from Chinese state-backed outlets to radiating Pakistani influences. Based on this study probes the efficacy and challenges of China’s use of soft power in diplomacy by examining how these initiatives contribute to people-to-people connections, economic cooperation, and, more broadly, as a propaganda tool with which China can influence Pakistan.

Keywords: Soft Power, Diplomacy, China, Pakistan, Cultural Exchange, Educational Cooperation, Media Influence