Americans tend to get worried, as China’s economic muscles are strengthening. No reason, tells business analyst Shaun Rein in the New York Times, in “Room for Debate” the Americans. China is a different kind of power, not alike the US power.
Shaun Rein:
China will never rival America as a cultural power either. Chinese movies have not spread globally because government control stifles creativity. China does not have global superstars like Tom Cruise. Even South Korea with Psy of “Gangnam Style” fame has enjoyed more international soft power.
Attempts in recent years to project soft power, such as pushing state-controlled news media outlets like China Daily globally have highlighted China’s weaknesses and have in some ways hurt more than they have helped. Americans see China’s censorship daily, underscoring its lack of a free press and an open Internet.
China’s internal problems like pollution and food safety scares are so bad the government will focus more on domestic issues rather than projecting global influence. China rivals America as an economic superpower but cannot compete on cultural, military or political levels.
Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers’ request form.
The China Weekly Hangout discussed on June 6 the value of trade agreements, and the way the EU and the US are dealing (of fail to deal) with China, with negotiation expert Andrew Hupert from New York, Swiss lawyer Nathan Kaiser from Taipei and political analyst Steve Barru from Denver, Colorado. Moderated by Fons Tuinstra of the China Speakers Bureau.
The China Weekly Hangout is taking a break until the second half of August.
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