Abstract
This chapter lays the conceptual foundations for building an understanding of cultural diplomacy. It evaluates the ways in which the idea and practice of cultural diplomacy has developed in both western and non-western (specifically Chinese) contexts, and positions cultural diplomacy within a typology of other communicative activities, such as public diplomacy and cultural relations. Given the Chinese government’s almost uncritical embrace of ‘soft power,’ this chapter considers how these activities advance China’s soft power ambitions, while addressing the difficulties facing China’s cultural diplomacy and evaluating the prospects for overcoming these obstacles through initiatives such as the Confucius Institute.
Taken from M. Berger et al. (2008, 5).
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Notes
- 1.
For the official Chinese response to the unnecessary introduction of ‘sharp power’ in current discussions, see Liu Si’s article ‘Spotlight: Who’s Behind the Term “Sharp Power”?,’ 13 February 2018, available at http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-02/13/c_136972986.htm.
- 2.
In China, these questions become more pressing because of the ethnic diversity of the Chinese ‘nation’ under Han domination (see Tuttle 2015).
- 3.
As Akira Iriye (1997) has recognized, cultural diplomacy has not prevented expanding and deepening nationalism.
- 4.
Paul Simon was criticized for performing alongside South African musicians on his 1986 album, Graceland, and was therefore accused of violating the cultural boycott (see Carlin 2016).
- 5.
A useful and brief outline of the criticisms of the cultural imperialism thesis is provided by Fraser (2003, 166–168).
- 6.
‘Interview with Zhang Jigang, Deputy Director of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony,’ Liberation Daily, August 1, 2008, quoted in Callahan (2010, 4).
- 7.
China Quarterly Debate a Matter of Principle. Global Times, 20 August 2017. http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1062304.shtml.
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Rawnsley, G. (2021). Cultural Diplomacy Today: A ‘Culture of Dialogue’ or a ‘Dialogue of Cultures’?. In: Ptáčková, J., Klimeš, O., Rawnsley, G. (eds) Transnational Sites of China’s Cultural Diplomacy. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5592-3_2
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