Franziska Maja Scholz
PhD student at ICSF (CUC Beijing)
franziska-maja-scholz@outlook.com
+49 (0) 175 844 7280
In today’s world, where hard power does not solely determine a country’s superiority anymore, it goes far beyond the blatant show of force, nations are seeking to strengthen their national image by embracing the concept of soft power.
As China and Pakistan look back on their decades-long friendship, since establishing diplomatic ties in the 1950, cultural exchanges of the „all-weather friends“ can in fact be followed all the way back to the times of the ancient Silk Road.
So it is by far not astounding that with the revival of the new Silk Road under Xi Jinping, the revival of cultural exchange and people-to-people dialogues surfaced again and nowhave gained a new intensive momentum. China has indeed embraced the concept of soft power with „an enthusiasm rarely seen in other parts of the world“[1]. Since the 21st century, cultural diplomacy has become an important pillar in China’s soft power. It is thus ever more imperative to be familiar with China’s efforts in this area, as it helps to depict the genuine intentions and purposes of their practices abroad.
With Xi Jinping’s special focus on a new journey of cultural exchanges, in 2017 the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council General Office published a document titled“Suggestions on the implementation of a process of dissemination and development of the outstanding traditional Chinese culture” (Guānyú shíshī Zhōnghuá yōuxiù chuántǒng wénhuà chuánchéng fāzhǎn gōng chéng dí yìjiàn （关于实施中华优秀传统文化传承发展工程的意见)[2].
This document depicts a practical protocol, describing the top-down approach promoting selected cultural values and patterns deemed feasible for the Chinese leadership abroad. Key departments and actors follow this 2017 document with various degrees of adherence as can be perfectly observed in China’s cultural diplomacy methods in Pakistan.
Since China’s imperial dynasty times, culture and cultural policies have been long-standing tools in defining power relations. Culture, for Chinese leadership has forever been interpreted in a very dynamic way, moulding it to perfectly counter changing circumstances. The CPC General Office’s 2017 document even entailing the strengthening of cultural cooperation with Belt and Road Initiative partners, especially cooperation between Think Tanks and scholars to further enhance business culture.
The mega infrastructure project China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has increased hope for the younger Pakistani generation to bolster an industrialised economy. China’s efforts require a stable fundament, if it is going to last for a longer time. Mutual cultural understanding is core for a longterm stability, likewise safeguarding the political and commercial investments. With a progressive positive commercial development, mutual trust in each other builds up and can become part of the respective national DNA.
Such developments neither do come overnight, nor can they be simply commanded. In the Chinese Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project, it all began with a political vision, tying in national and international partners. It seems just right, that looking back on the the ancient Silk Road, China has recognised the ever more crucial importance of cultural diplomacy and exchanges. It is only through people-to-people dialogue now that the CPEC can be taken to the next level, to transform it from a flagship government project to a true, global economic venture. City partnerships like those between Lahore and Xi-an, and others established in 2009 do serve as basis for broadening and deepening the ties between the nations. Built on this fundament, institutions like the Confucius Institutes[3], among others, are those which can disperse culture, and thus the essence of people, within the Pakistan general society.
To guarantee for a mutual, longterm benefit, it should be kept in mind, that these cooperations are not merely a one-way street. Pakistan’s government in turn has been equally devoted to promote Chinese language in the educational sector, with great success as the number of students from Pakistan pursuing higher education in China has increased exponentially during the past 10 years.
Just as McClellan’s public diplomacy pyramid[4] describes the importance of „Awareness“ - the base of his pyramid - as a crucial stage when a country’s people become conscious of the advocate country’s existence via mass media and big culture events; it can be observed that these joint efforts for example by China Radio International (CRI) and Roots Millennium Schools (RMS) in Pakistan launching the CRI-Roots Confucius Classroom[5] yield infinite opportunities for further strengthening mutual cultural understanding and exchange.
Ideas, cultural exchange flows back and forth, likewise forming the basis for a mutual understanding at all levels of society. One should also be aware though that it puts additional responsibilities on the economically stronger partner. In other words, the broader the difference between the partners, the broader the responsibility on the side of the bigger player. A level playing field is key, and can be regarded as a guarantee for rooting the cooperation deeply into both partners, a prerequisite for stable and longterm successes.
For the progress and success of the BRI and respectively mega projects like CPEC, there certainly is still reservation in some areas, which have to be considered and taken into account. Unless the roots of such reservations cannot be addressed, and tackled, it will be difficult to foster real progress, and to develop the idea of a common and shared future for mankind further. The legal framework may not yet be fully clear, and could be regarded as one of the core challenges which has to be addressed. The China-led initiative needs to be accepted by its partners, and from a leading position a joint effort must evolve. Again this demands much effort and reluctance on the side of the initiator, but finally this will be the key to attracting foreign firm's investments. Such extension is vital for the longterm success of the China-led initiative. A combination of a common vision, a clear legal framework, and the inclusion of the people through focused and open cultural diplomacy builds a reliable, trustful basis for guaranteeing longterm success. For the benefit of all parties and a shared and better future.
[1]Rawnsely, G.D. 2002. „Approaches to Soft Power & Public Diplomacy in China and Taiwan“. Jounal of International Communication. 18 (2): 121-135.
[2]Cappelletti, Alessandra .2017. Construction of Chinese culturein a globalized world and its importance for Beijing's smart power: Notes and concepts on anarrative shift“. Working Papers on East Asian Studies, No. 115/2017, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute of East Asian Studies (IN-EAST), Duisburg
[3]„Chinese academician tells about SNU, Confucius institutes“. The Nation. January 17, 2020. https://nation.com.pk/17-Jan-2020/chinese-academician-tells-about-snu-confucius-institutes
[4]McClellan, M. (2004) „ Public Diplomacy in the context of traditional diplomacy“. http://www.publicdiplomacy.org/45.htm
[5]China Radio International CRI-Roots Confucius Classroom Celebrated Chinese Lunar New Year“. February 2, 2014.http://pk.chineseembassy.org/eng/zbgx/t1128236.htm
Dream higher than the Himalayas & deeper than the Ocean
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