Transnational Sites of China’s Cultural Diplomacy : Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe Compared

This edited volume presents the results of a three-year comparative study on Chinese cultural diplomacy (CD) across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, which contributes to the broader theoretical debate on China`s increasing soft power in international relations. The study, ‘China's Cultural Diplomacy and the Role of Non-State Actors’ was conducted by a research team at the Oriental Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic from 2015 to 2018. This book pays special attention to China’s localized forms of CD, focusing on the regional variations and involvement of non-state actors, especially local actors outside China. Local actors involved in Chinese CD diplomacy are characterized by their intermediary status as working for the aims of two states, while trying to bridge conflicts and enhance mutual understanding. This book will be of interest to scholars, diplomats, and China watchers. Contents Notes on Contributors List of Tables 1 Introduction: The Soft Edges of China’s Hard Power References 2 Cultural Diplomacy Today: A ‘Culture of Dialogue’ or a ‘Dialogue of Cultures’? Cultural Diplomacy The Limits of Cultural Diplomacy References 3 Xinjiang in China’s Public Diplomacy in Central Asia: Case Study of Almaty Introduction China’s Central Asian Policy Transnational Muslim Nationalities of the PRC’s Northwest and the CARs Official Conceptualization of Xinjiang and Its Muslims in the PRC’s Public Diplomacy Actors and Message of China’s Public Diplomacy in Almaty Liabilities of China’s Public Diplomacy in CA Conclusion References 4 China’s ‘Silk Road’ Public Diplomacy in Central Asia: Rethinking the ‘Network’ Approach to the Study of Public Diplomacy and Its Instrumentalism Introduction Conceptual Approach to Studying ‘Silk Road’ Diplomacy Academic Network in Tashkent Cultural Networks in Almaty and Tashkent Conceptual and Theoretical Implications Conclusion References 5 Establishing a Common Ground—Admiral Zheng He as an Agent of Cultural Diplomacy in Malaysia The Appeal of Zheng He’s Voyages Zheng He Cultural Museum in Malacca Publications and Activities of the International Zheng He Society Malacca Conclusion References 6 Two Confucius Institutes and a Cross-Border University as Sites of China’s Cultural Diplomacy in Malaysia: The Limitations of ‘Domestic Structures’ Introduction The Impact of Domestic Structures Endorsement of Problematic Chinese Projects—Political End of Najib and the ‘Special’ Relationship A New Approach to China Under Mahathir Education as the Essential Tool of China’s Cultural Diplomacy in Malaysia Tertiary Education—Another Efficient Tool of China’s Public Diplomacy The Role of Chinese Diplomats in Chinese Education in Malaysia Conclusion References 7 Attracting the Arabs? Promoting ‘Muslim’ China to Boost Regional Development in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Introduction The Background of the China-Arab Friendship in Ningxia Ningxia Inland Opening-Up Pilot Economic Zone Creating the ‘Muslim’ Image of Ningxia Fulfilling the China-Arab Agenda Strengthening Ethnic Cultural Identity or Building Up a Tourist Site? Conclusion References 8 China’s Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin: The Impact of Transnational and Local Actors Introduction Chinese Cultural Diplomacy in Europe, Germany, and Berlin Berlin and China: Historical Overview and Background Overview of Networks and Institutions in Berlin Exhibitions and Museums Berlin-Beijing City Partnership China’s Cultural Diplomacy Actors in Berlin Chinese State Actors in Berlin Semi-State Actors and Cooperation Between Different Actors Confucius Institute at the Free University of Berlin (Konfuzius-Institut an der Freien Universität Berlin) Non-State Actors (Including Transnational Chinese and German Actors) Other Organizations Cultural Diplomacy and Research/Education Conclusion References 9 Trajectory of Chinese Cultural Diplomacy: The Case of International Co-production of Documentaries Introduction Investment vs. Resources: 1979 to the 1990s China Reaching Out: 2001–2010 International Expansion of Chinese Media: 2011–Present CCTV Documentary Channel CICC Conclusion References Index This book presents the results of a three-year comparative study on Chinese cultural diplomacy (CD) across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, which contributes to the broader theoretical debate on China`s increasing soft power in international relations. The study, 'China's Cultural Diplomacy and the Role of Non-State Actors' was conducted by a research team at the Oriental Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic from 2015 to 2018. This book pays special attention to China's localized forms of CD, focusing on the regional variations and involvement of non-state actors, especially local actors outside China. Local actors involved in Chinese CD diplomacy are characterized by their intermediary status as working for the aims of two states, while trying to bridge conflicts and enhance mutual understanding. This book will be of interest to scholars, diplomats, and China watchers. Jarmila Ptáčková graduated from the Humboldt University in Berlin, specializing in Chinese and Central Asian Studies. She obtained her Ph.D. in Tibetan Studies from the same institution. Currently, she is affiliated with the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague. Ondřej Klimeš is a researcher at the Oriental Institute of Czech Academy of Sciences. His expertise is in politics of modern and contemporary Xinjiang and China. He received his Ph.D. from the Charles University in Prague in 2012. Gary Rawnsley is Professor of Public Diplomacy and the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). Working at the intersection of international relations and international communications, Professor Rawnsley has published widely on propaganda, public and cultural diplomacy, soft power and the role of the media in democratisation. Jens Damm is an Associate Fellow at the European Research Center on Contemporary Taiwan (ERCCT), Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. He was awarded his Ph.D. at Free University of Berlin in 2002. He is currently also a board member of the European Association of Taiwan Studies.-- Provided by publisher This book presents the results of a three-year comparative study on Chinese cultural diplomacy (CD) across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, which contributes to the broader theoretical debate on China`s increasing soft power in international relations. The study, 'China's Cultural Diplomacy and the Role of Non-State Actors' was conducted by a research team at the Oriental Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic from 2015 to 2018. This book pays special attention to China's localized forms of CD, focusing on the regional variations and involvement of non-state actors, especially local actors outside China. Local actors involved in Chinese CD diplomacy are characterized by their intermediary status as working for the aims of two states, while trying to bridge conflicts and enhance mutual understanding. This book will be of interest to scholars, diplomats, and China watchers. Jarmila Ptáčková graduated from the Humboldt University in Berlin, specializing in Chinese and Central Asian Studies. She obtained her Ph. D. in Tibetan Studies from the same institution. Currently, she is affiliated with the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague. Ondřej Klimeš is a researcher at the Oriental Institute of Czech Academy of Sciences. His expertise is in politics of modern and contemporary Xinjiang and China. He received his Ph. D. from the Charles University in Prague in 2012. Gary Rawnsley is Professor of Public Diplomacy and the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). Working at the intersection of international relations and international communications, Professor Rawnsley has published widely on propaganda, public and cultural diplomacy, soft power and the role of the media in democratisation. Jens Damm is an Associate Fellow at the European Research Center on Contemporary Taiwan (ERCCT), Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. He was awarded his Ph. D. at Free University of Berlin in 2002. He is currently also a board member of the European Association of Taiwan Studies