How China uses soft power to express itself on the world stage | ABC News 

We simply need to diversify.. never put all eggs in one basket and always protect our interests with dignity

First question: What would you rather, soft power, or hard power? Soft power to pass on their message, or military action to "impart values?" Prominent countries will always try to increase their influence - it is not only China doing this. Shouldn't we be thanking our lucky stars that China, the world's second-largest economy, has chosen the soft approach over the much more violent and destructive approach that has been taken by world powers and world-power wannabe countries for hundreds of years? An even better question to ask would be, what could have happened if China didn't take this approach - where would the world be right now? Second question: Did we not send a message to the world during the Sydney Olympics? Are we allowed to show off our country in its best light during an opening ceremony, but other countries aren't? Olympic games cost countries more financially than they bring in. Sydney's Olympic games were also a form of soft power. Should we have validated our best face by presenting our worst during that? Why is China the only country that is expected to do that in order to receive validation from the world? Third question: Why is China wrong in speaking to its own people through media products and art? China has a population of 1.4 billion. One-in-seven people on this earth are Chinese - so, in speaking to its own people, it is, in fact, speaking to a very large proportion of the world. Saying that Chinese movies can't be compared to Hollywood is also not logical. How is a Chinese movie with Chinese heroes any different to all of the American films with American heroes, American flags, and celebration of American bravery? They can be compared, they are very similar in many ways - the difference is not in the content itself, the difference is that we, as Westerners are not accustomed to seeing that - not accustomed to seeing heroes that aren't white, English speaking Americans. We see American blockbusters with American heroes and don't bat an eyelid because we are desensitised to it - we've seen so much of it that it doesn't even register. "My understanding is that -" I was looking forward to hearing what came next, but it was cut off by a question that was more of a statement than an actual question. Where are all of these people that have been left behind? I guess the fact that China has eradicated extreme poverty this year is not relevant at all? Who is being left behind, exactly? Also - I do respect the work that Stan does as a journalist, but it is obvious that he has pre-conceived ideas about China, evidenced by his form of questioning. Perhaps this stems from the pressures that come from popular sentiment in Australia right now - but the ABC does not rely on advertising, so it should me more important to produce neutral content than sensationalised content. Despite this, I do need to give this program credit for giving voices to Chinese people from different backgrounds, including those who are supportive of Beijing. This is important, because we need diverse voices and opinions to be able to form our own balanced opinions.

Australia is so concerned about China's "soft power" of investing in building infrastructure for developing countries around the world. People in Asia, Africa, and South America have ports and roads to further grow their own economies. Compare that to the U.S. and Britain, who always chose military power over soft power, invading foreign countries to topple their governments, pillage/exploit their resources and fund military contractors. I laughed when Stan Grant spoke about how the U.S. uses Hollywood movies and music to influence the world. Nevermind the fact that the U.S. has 800 military bases in 70 countries around the world. Nevermind that the U.S. unapologetically uses drone strikes to kill civilians in foreign countries. Nevermind that the U.S. funds mercenaries to assassinate foreign government leaders. Okay, Stan Grant, China's "soft power" is the real threat here. Keep watching Hollywood movies, mate.

Aussies should understand China better.

China shouldn't be fighting India over the land, that sat there for centuries undisturbed. Why all of a sudden it is important to the Chinese?

I quit working for a purely Chinese curtain and blind company here in Australia. The 3 most well known companies are the same and everything they supply is 100% made in China and shipped here. Takes about 12 weeks to get your product. It's destroying Aussies share of the Australian market because we love our cheap rubbish hanging on our windows. The state manager has terrible English and I discovered that her husband was getting an unfair portion of the easy, well paying jobs to install while I got every problem to solve and earned half of what I was earning 10 years ago but working twice as hard. It's the first time in my life I've quit with no work to go to but my disgust for their practices overwhelmed me and I had to leave. Wake up Australia. We are being killed off by a viscous enemy.

Principle is to keep your House in order and full control before you go out!

not so “soft” cookie-san

Chinese soft culture was never "popular" to begin with. The only brief softpower they had was in Hong Kong's Kung-fu movies under the British rule where even that got destroyed by the CCP. So I don't know where all this "why China can't compete with Korea and Japan softpower" is coming from. China hasn't really created or innovated anything in recent history in terms of "softpower" nor did they even care until Korean wave started. They were ALWAYS focused on being a hardpower nation using its economic and military might to influence neighboring countries. This is why they are just copying everything from Korean/Japanese contents since they do not have a good softpower content nor did they create/produce anything that CAN appeal to the outside world.... The only thing really popular from China is the food. The food is great though.

There are 1000 reasons people feel threaten by China's success, but China is the only country that is still functioning.

Ha, that's how deep China research goes in OZ uni. Interesting.

CCP is like that teacher that tries to be cool in class. You just kinda laugh and cringe. Geez.

The host asked leading questions to the guest, resulting in the answers sort of conforming into one narrow perspective. Sun Zi Art of War is used in buinesses by Americans as well the Japanese, so it's a false equivalence to say China uses Sun Zi Art of War as a metaphor for their actions being war-like or aiming to go to war. Then what do you call the USA actions of Hi-jacking mask cargo bound for France?

@Mr. Grant. Check out "China Unscripted #95" on youtube if it hasn't been deleted yet. (Dec 11, 2020). Professor Kerry K. Gershanek would be a good interview. Perhaps you already read his book, "Political Warfare". Probably too much 'red pill' for the ABC. I'm sure your think tank will value this highly. 🙂

This women dont know nothing soft power one belt one road