Opinion | China cannot just rely on its economic might to silence the growing army of critics
- From the Hong Kong protests to the treatment of Uygurs in Xinjiang, China’s international image has been severely dented this year. It must work to repair the damage through persuasion and co-option, not just by leaning on its economic stature
This will be remembered by many as the year that China did near-irreparable damage to its international reputation and image.
Chinese leaders and policymakers have generally understood that China’s gradual rise to international prominence would bring with it challenges, especially regarding the perceptions of others. To allay the fears of outsiders about its rise, China has, for the past decade or so, attempted a multipronged charm offensive aimed at the rest of the world.
Billions were spent on soft-power initiatives such as the Beijing Olympics, promotional videos, media expansion and the proliferation of Confucius Institutes across the globe. Diplomatic efforts went beyond traditional forms and included an emphasis on “sister city” partnerships between Chinese and other cities.
In more recent years, China has even sought to become something of a defender of globalisation, spearheading new institutions like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and new economic programmes like the Belt and Road Initiative.
A big gripe in China is that it has never been given a fair chance by the West to demonstrate its envisaged international role and has been treated with double standards.
China has some legitimate points here. Its rise has often been viewed through a Western-centric lens which associates any emerging international behemoth with suspicion and fear. Furthermore, latent Sinophobia has at times reared its head.
